Where are we with the Afghan police force?

'We have built the police into a less well-armed, less well-trained version of the Army and launched them into operations against the insurgents. Meanwhile, nobody is doing the job of actual policing-rule of law, keeping the population safe…civil and criminal law enforcement…the Taliban have stepped into this gap…' David Kilcullen, November 2008

One patrolman confided to his trainer that he never knew beating his wife was illegal.

In the 1990s the corruption of law and the break down of order was a major contributing factor in the rise of the Taliban. In the seven years since the removal of the Taliban regime, most of Afghanistan is still not served by a police force. There are two main reasons for this: the sheer extent of destruction and neglect suffered by Afghan government institutions after many years of conflict and the failure of the international community to recognise what was needed and to implement a coherent plan. As a result, large numbers of the population in Afghanistan perceive themselves as unable to access law and order unless they turn to the Taliban, who are increasing filling this 'justice vacuum' with their own interpretation of Sharia law. The speedy and effective development of the Afghan police force, therefore, is crucial.

AUTHOR: Tim Foxley, SIPRI / ISIS Europe






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