Afghan National PoliceEdit
The Afghan National Police (ANP) forms the civilian arm of Afghanistan’s security forces, operating under the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MoI). Its core mission is to enforce laws, maintain public order, protect civilians, and investigate crimes across Afghanistan's provinces and districts. Alongside the Afghan National Army and other security institutions, the ANP is tasked with extending the reach of the central government, providing basic security, and supporting governance at the local level. Over the past two decades, the ANP has been central to stabilization efforts, reform programs, and counterinsurgency campaigns, while also facing persistent challenges related to resources, governance, and human rights. Afghanistan has depended on a mix of domestic reform and international support to build and sustain the police service, with partners including NATO and the United States conducting training, mentoring, and equipping programs through missions such as the Resolute Support Mission.
The ANP’s mandate encompasses a wide range of policing functions in a difficult security environment. It is responsible for routine policing, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, anti-drug efforts in coordination with the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan, border security with the Afghan Border Police, and specialized counterterrorism operations in cooperation with MoI-designated units. The organization is intended to operate within the rule of law and Afghan constitutional norms, while also adapting to the realities of irregular warfare and urban policing. Its work is conducted in close coordination with district and provincial authorities, local communities, and, where possible, civilian oversight mechanisms that aim to improve accountability and legitimacy. See also the evolving relationship between the ANP and other security actors, such as the Afghan National Army and local security arrangements.
History and development
The ANP emerged from a broader effort to rebuild Afghanistan’s security sector after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001. Initial steps focused on reconstituting police academies, retraining personnel, and re-establishing a centralized command structure under MoI. International partners played a decisive role in funding, training, and mentoring, with the aim of creating a professional, apolitical police force capable of protecting civilians and supporting state authority. Over time, reform programs targeted recruitment standards, vetting, and the introduction of new units and capabilities to address urban policing, counterterrorism, and narcotics control. The process has been uneven across provinces, reflecting the uneven security environment and the challenges of building institutions in a fragile state. See for context security sector reform and the broader history of Afghanistan’s security forces.
During the 2010s, reform efforts emphasized professionalization, civilian oversight, and performance-based training. The ANP expanded its footprint in rural areas, but its effectiveness varied by region. International missions helped fund and organize training for standard policing functions, while also supporting counterinsurgency campaigns and investigations into illicit networks. The creation of specialized units within the ANP—such as those focused on counterterrorism, traffic management, and border control—aimed to improve responsiveness and reduce dependence on ad hoc local security arrangements. See Afghan Local Police for a related but separate community-based approach to security.
Structure and mandate
The ANP operates under the MoI and is coordinated with provincial and district authorities. Its leadership and strategic direction are shaped by Afghan law, the constitution, and security policy frameworks that seek to balance civilian police work with the realities of conflict and instability. See Ministry of Interior Affairs (Afghanistan) for a broader governance context.
Core units and functions within the ANP include:
- Afghan Uniformed Police, which handles general policing and public order responsibility in towns and districts.
- Criminal Investigation Department (CID), focusing on serious crimes, organized crime, and detective work.
- Public Order Police (POP), trained for crowd control, peacetime policing, and operations requiring a rapid response to disturbances.
- Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA), tackling drug trafficking networks in coordination with other security agencies.
- Traffic Police, enforcing road laws, licensing, and road safety.
- Afghan Border Police (ABP), responsible for border control, cross-border movement, and related security tasks.
In addition to these units, the ANP works with local and national partners on intelligence-driven policing, community policing initiatives, and efforts to improve transparency and accountability. The goal is to deliver security while upholding due process and human rights protections, a challenge in many parts of the country given the security situation.
Training and modernization
International actors have supported the ANP’s training and modernization through a sequence of programs designed to raise professional standards and reduce corruption. Training has covered firearms handling, investigation techniques, use-of-force protocols, human rights awareness, and community policing practices. Training institutions include national academies and regional centers, often complemented by mentoring from international police liaison teams and civilian-military partners. The armed and unarmed sides of the security apparatus have benefited from capacity-building programs designed to professionalize recruitment, improve discipline, and strengthen supervisory structures. See police reform and rule of law for related themes.
Women’s participation in the ANP has grown modestly over time, with programs aimed at improving recruitment, training, and integration of female officers. Greater gender representation is viewed by many observers as increasing police legitimacy and expanding protection for women and other vulnerable groups, though cultural and logistical barriers persist. The broader debate about women in policing intersects with questions of social norms, security needs, and the practicalities of service in diverse Afghan communities. See Women in policing and Afghanistan for broader context.
Challenges and controversies
Corruption and governance: The ANP has faced criticisms common to security-sector reform efforts in fragile states, including corruption, patronage, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. International partners have pushed for reforms such as merit-based recruitment, transparent procurement, performance evaluation, and civilian oversight mechanisms designed to reduce impunity and improve accountability. The practical impact of these reforms has been uneven, with notable successes in some provinces and persistent weaknesses in others.
Insurgent and political interference: In some areas, the line between policing and political influence has blurred, complicating efforts to maintain neutrality and the rule of law. Insurgent threats, coupled with the need to coordinate with local authorities, have forced the ANP to balance hard security measures with protections for civil liberties. See rule of law and Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan for related discussions.
Ethnic representation and local legitimacy: Afghanistan’s diverse population means police legitimacy often hinges on proportional representation and trust with local communities. Critics argue that imbalances in ethnic representation or favoritism can undermine public confidence. Proponents contend that a security force reflecting the country’s diversity strengthens legitimacy and improves cooperation with communities that face security risks.
Afghan Local Police and community security programs: The development of community-based security arrangements, such as the Afghan Local Police (ALP), was intended to complement the ANP by mobilizing local support and reducing insurgent mobility. While ALP programs helped fill security gaps in some districts, they also raised concerns about governance, accountability, and potential human rights abuses when oversight is weak. Supporters emphasize improved local security and faster responses, while critics warn about parallel structures that bypass the central government and risk abuses if not properly overseen. See Afghan Local Police for more on this program and its debates.
Human rights and use of force: The ANP’s engagement with civilians—especially in urban policing, counterterrorism operations, and border control—has drawn scrutiny from both Afghan society and international observers. Advocates stress the necessity of effective policing in protecting civilians and upholding治理, while critics highlight cases of excessive force or abuses. The practical goal for reformers is to strengthen accountability and ensure adherence to Afghan law and international human rights standards, without compromising security needs.
Woke criticisms and practical responses: In debates about Afghanistan’s security forces, some critics stress identity-based concerns or push for expansive social justice narratives. From a policy and security standpoint, many observers argue that focused, results-driven policing—rooted in the rule of law, professional standards, and local legitimacy—yields more reliable security outcomes than purely symbolic reforms. The emphasis on capability, accountability, and community trust is presented as the most durable path to stability, even when it requires navigating cultural sensitivities and security trade-offs. In practice, this means prioritizing professionalization, clear mandates, and observable rule-of-law outcomes rather than broad political rhetoric.