Afghan National Police

Afghan National Police Dari: پولیس ملی افغانستان Pashto: د افغانستان ملي پولیس
Abbreviation	ANP
Coat of Arms of the Afghan National Police
Agency overview
Formed	1747
Employees	126,000 (May 2011)[1]
Legal personality	Governmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
National agency	Afghanistan
General nature	Law enforcement Local civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters	Kabul, Afghanistan
Agency executive	Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, Minster of the Interior

The Afghan National Police - ANP (Pashto: د افغانستان ملي پولیس - Persian: پلیس ملی افغانستان‎) is the primary national police force in Afghanistan. It serves as a single law enforcement agency all across the country. The Afghan police force was first created with the establishment of the Afghan nation in the early 18th century. The agency is under the responsibility of Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior, headed by Bismillah Khan Mohammadi.

The current Afghan National Police was established after the removal of the Taliban government in late 2001. It receives funding, training and equipment from NATO states. Various local and Federal government employees from the United States as well as Germany's Bundespolizei (BPOL), the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence Police provided most of the training.

In 2002, the EU-led mission (EUPOL Afghanistan) was heading the civilian policing in the Kabul area but by 2005 the United States established training programs in all the provinces of Afghanistan. The Afghan National Police had about 126,000 active members in May 2011, which is expected to reach 160,000 by 2014.^[1] More recently, the Afghan government, with persuasion from NATO, has employed local police forces known as Arbakai or Afghan Local Police (ALP).

History

The modern Afghan police force has its origins to the Hotaki and Durrani Empire in the early 18th century, and over the centuries it was slowly modernized. The agency remained in existence throughout the Afghan Civil War and Soviet occupation that began in 1978/79 until Kabul fell in 1992 to the insurgents; the country descended into chaos and anarchy and then came under the heel of the Taliban, who enforced a primitive and barbaric justice. After the collapse of the Taliban regime in late 2001, there was little in the nation resembling a functional police department as private armed militias of warlords quickly filled yet again the vacuum left behind by a lack of central governance. The Ministry of Interior in Kabul, under the new Karzai government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, exercised little control over provincial police structures and was unable to effectively secure the remote provinces. Most of these problems were established after the Fall of Kabul in 1992, when the Soviet-backed government of Najibullah fell apart and the country entered into anarchy and chaos. From 1978 to 1992 the Afghan police had firm control over the country, much thanks to the Soviet Union and other factors related to the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan or the Soviet war in the country.^[2] Traditionally, police officers were poorly paid, recruited or conscripted from the poorest classes of society and frequently held in contempt by the communities they served. Compounding these factors, over two decades of unrest had also resulted in an illiteracy rate conservatively estimated at over 70% for police recruits.

Coat of Arms of the Afghan National Police with English Text

Although early efforts had trained 35,000 officers in basic recruit schools during 2003 and 2004, this training was insufficient to strengthen the structures and senior command levels needed to create an effective police force. Germany, as lead nation for police under the Bonn II Agreement, concentrated its efforts on setting up the Kabul Police Academy and drafted the long range blueprint for restructuring the police services. Except for Konduz Province which had a Provisional Reconstruction Team (PRT), Germany’s program had only limited reach into the provinces. As the U.S. Department of State International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau’s (INL) activity at this time was limited in resources and scope, the U.S. Departments of Defense and State, in Spring 2005, decided to shift the implementation of the police training and equipment program to the Office of Security Cooperation-Afghanistan (OSC-A), under the authority of the Commanding General, Combined Forces Command (CFC-A). In April 2006 OSC-A became the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A) keeping the OSC-A mission.

ANP commander marching to greet distinguished visitors at the Afghan National Police Academy (ANPA) in 2010.

The 2005 changes led to an increased impetus to implement significant reform programs, particularly the reform of higher staff levels at the Ministry of the Interior, the placement of police mentors throughout the country, substantial pay increases in the police salary plan and an impending, complete restructuring of the police payroll system. A nationwide reassessment of infrastructure and equipment needs was also undertaken, followed with the distribution of critically needed weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and office/dorm furniture. Although progress has been made in the areas of infrastructure, equipment and payroll distribution, these programs will take some time to reach fruition.

In the late 2000s the number of ANP officers getting killed in the line of duty jumped very sharply, with over 1,600 officers being killed in the years 2008 and 2009. Afghan officials estimate that over 100 police officers are killed in the line of duty each month.^[3] See List of Afghan security forces fatality reports in Afghanistan

In September 2011, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released an investigation report claiming that some members of the Afghan Local Police (ALP) were getting away with serious abuses including rape and murder.^[4] In January 2012, one ANP from Paktia and two from Logar were arrested for kidnapping children. The police confessed to the crime, while one of the kidnapped boys said, "I received a phone call from the policemen who introduced themselves as my friends. They offered me a ride. I went unconscious after they dragged me into a car."^[5]

In early 2012, the Ministry of Interior provided 300 armoured vehicles to the 1st border police brigade stationed around the porous Durand Line, in Nangarhar province. Col. Mohammad Ayub Hussainkhel, the 3rd Border Police Brigade Commander, said "the border police are now capable of maintaining better security for the Durand Line and to prevent infiltration of militants into the province from Pakistan."^[6] In February 2012, the United States promised that it would support the government of Afghanistan to protect its sovereignty and effectively control its borders.^[7] At a 2012 meeting with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt in Chicago, U.S. President Barack Obama said, "We are going to be consulting with not only Denmark but our other allies in making sure that is a smooth transition and one that is sustained, where we continue to help the Afghan government support its own sovereignty and effectively control its borders."^[8]

Structure

David Petraeus from the United States with Interior Minister of Afghanistan, Bismillah Khan Mohammadi.

Afghan Border Police (ABP) at Islam Qala in western Herat Province.

Afghan Highway Police (AHP)

The Afghan National Police (ANP) is an organization that falls under the control and responsibility of the Afghan Ministry of Interior, along with the Counter-Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) and the Counter Terrorism Department. The ANP is composed of the following sub-agencies:

1. Afghan Border Police
2. Afghan Uniform Police
3. Afghan Highway Police
4. Criminal Investigation Department

Afghan Border Police

The Afghan Border Police (ABP) are responsible for securing the borders and airports of Afghanistan against the illegal entry of persons as well as the smuggling of contraband. As of January 2011, there are at least 25 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officers providing training to the Afghan Border Police. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano stated that the number could reach 65 or more by the end of 2011. Napolitano visited the Torkham border crossing with Pakistan and was satisfied with the progress being made there.^[9][10] The ABP specific duties include the following:

• Provide border security patrols within a security zone that extends 55 km into the territory of Afghanistan.
• Provide immigration / visa services and investigate immigration violations.
• Establish and maintain Border Crossing Points, to include all international airports.
• Provide perimeter, building, aircraft and passenger security of international airports.

Afghan Uniform Police

The Afghan Uniform Police (AUP) is the primary civil law enforcement agency in Afghanistan. The ANP is divided into five regional commands (north, south, east, west and central) as well as the Afghan National Civil Order Police, or ANCOP. Other forces falling under the command and control of the ANP include local traffic police departments as well as the fire department.

• Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP)

Afghan Highway Police

The Afghan Highway Police (AHP) was a sub-department of the national police that is currently dissolved with only speculation of return. Their primary responsibility was to provide traffic safety and overall security of the "Ring Road" highway that connects most of the major population centers in Afghanistan. Most of the personnel, equipment and facilities that comprise the highway police were reorganized under the uniform police.

Criminal Investigation Department

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is staffed with 4148 investigators spread over the nation with the majority in Kabul. They are tasked with investigation, crime scene forensic procedures, documentation of crime, and assisting other agencies to include assistance through the crime lab housed at the Ministry of Interior.

Facilities

ANP cadets eating at the Kabul training center Student Dining Facility

It was reported in 2010 that the United States Army Corps of Engineers is building nearly 200 modern police stations for the Afghan National Police. The total cost of the project was reported to be over $600 million US dollars, and each police station is said to cost about $6 million. The project should be completed in 2012.^[11]

The Main ANP Training Facility in Kabul was established by the German police mission and is now led by the United States.

Regional ANP Training Facilities have been established in:

• Wardak (led by ISAF)
• Gardez (led by USA)
• Kandahar (led by USA)
• Herat (led by Italy)
• Mazar-e-Sharif (led by Germany)
• Khost (led by USA)

Rank Structure

New graduates sitting at the Afghan Ministry of Interior in 2012

Female ANP officers stands at attention during a pass and review formation before the start of the International Women's Day ceremony at the Ministry of Interior in Kabul on March 4, 2010.

General Officers

• Colonel General
• Lieutenant General
• Major General
• Brigadier

Officers

• Colonel
• Lieutenant Colonel
• Major
• Staff Captain
• Captain
• First Lieutenant
• Second Lieutenant
• Third Lieutenant

Non-Commissioned and Enlisted

• Staff Sergeant
• Sergeant
• First Corporal
• Corporal
• Soldier^[12]

Rank Disparities

Some ranks are known by several names. These disparities are most-likely caused through different translations from Dari to western languages as well as being interpreted differently by inherently unrelated agencies such as the U.S. military versus the German Police. The role of the "sergeant", or noncommissioned officer, is not well developed and is often overlooked by the prestige associated with being a regular, or commissioned, officer (lieutenant or higher). This lack of emphasis on the subordinate ranks has also stunted the clear definition of ranks as well as their roles and responsibilities.

The ranks of 3rd Lieutenant and Senior Captain are being phased out after the Ministry of Interior underwent a Rank Reform process in which they eliminated a disproportionate amount of senior-ranking officers within the police. These ranks are believed to have served as a way to better distinguish and balance out an extremely top-heavy leadership corps.

Known Alternative Titles

Rank Reform

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Fahim Qayem, commander of the Central Unit, Police Zone 101.

The original formation of police and security forces saw an overwhelming majority of senior-ranking personnel due to disorganization and corruption. It was not uncommon to find someone holding a senior rank, such as lieutenant colonel, possessing minimal qualifications or having little to no responsibilities for a rank of that stature. It was a period of total mismanagement that allowed people to use bribery and other forms of influence to gain prominent positions in the national police force. It was soon evident that the organization was “top heavy” and thus ineffective in conducting the daily duties expected of the police. Furthermore, many leaders inside the Ministry of Interior were guilty of human rights violations and other forms of blackmail and corruption. There was an obvious need to reorganize and repair this broken ministry.

Police commander Azizullah aiming a modified AMD-65 in the Paktika Province.

MOI began a Rank Reform initiative in October 2005 to completely overhaul and replace it’s existing leadership structure and composition. The United Nations and ISAF forces conducted background checks on all eligible candidates in attempt to thwart the acceptance of MOI leaders with past human rights violations or records of corruption. Concurrent with rank reform, salary reform was also implemented to match their pay with that of their equivalent counterparts in the Afghan National Army who had been receiving higher pay from their inception.

Despite rank and pay reform, it is still very common to see a disproportionate level of senior-ranking officers within the police force. Although these officers have been "reformed" and their rank and pay adjusted to "sergeant", for example, they will still wear the rank of "captain", or whatever they feel is appropriate, in an effort to retain more authority. Corruption, bribery and treason are also still very common in the national police.

Widespread corruption in all levels of the ANP has long been a major problem for the combating of the Taliban insurgency. Taliban fighters of both high and low rank have been able to quickly buy their release from police custody with bribes ranging from $100–$10,000.^[13] Drug use, defections to the Taliban and sexual harassment of female officers is also widespread within the ANP.^[14] Due to the high level of corruption, the Afghan government sends the relatively un-corrupted Afghan National Army to more sensitive scenarios. The level of corruption has resulted in decreased monetary support of the National Police and increased monetary support of the National Army on the part of international donors.

Equipment

ANP Ford Ranger

ANP with riot gear at the Ghazi Stadium in Kabul

The primary vehicle of the ANP is the four-wheel drive, diesel, 4-door Ford Ranger (and Ranger SORVs), provided by the thousands from the United States. Other vehicles include Humvees, diesel-powered variants of the U.S. consumer Nissan Frontiers, Toyota Hilux pickup trucks exported from Thailand, and Volkswagen Transporter T4/Eurovans, as well as Yamaha motorcycles donated by Japan. Older vehicles, like the UAZ-469 all-terrain vehicle, were obtained from the Soviet Union.

Weapons

• Smith & Wesson Sigma 9mm
• AMD 65 assault rifles
• AK-47 assault rifles
• Vz. 58 assault rifles
• Rocket-propelled grenade systems

Uniforms and body armor sometimes mis-matched and poorly distributed. Most police personnel are issued at least one uniform that is traded out for warmer/cooler uniforms depending on the season. It is common to find a varying array of blue, green and gray uniforms amongst the police due to different manufacturers and the rapid growing of the force with many people joining. Some police have resorted to having their own uniforms custom made. Body armor and helmets are seldom given to individual soldiers and are often given out on an as-needed basis. The composition of this equipment varies between American, Russian and Chinese military grade equipment to 3rd party equipment that provides little-to-no real protection. Plans to upgrade weapons and uniform are being drafted by the Afghan government. Typically the ANP badge is worn on one shoulder and the Afghanistan flag on the other.

In August 2010, an order was placed for 2,526 M1152A1 Humvees with B2 armor kits, for the Afghan police and National Guard.^[15]

Current status

In May 2011, the number of the Afghan National Police was 126,000 and is expected to reach 160,000 by the end of 2014.^[1]

See also

• Afghanistan Police Program
• Ring of Steel (Kabul)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Afghan National Police

• Official site
• NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan