Report - United States Department of Defense

UNCLASSIFIED
The ABP continue to struggle with a number of challenges. Support of the ABP by other ANSF,
especially the ANA, in many kinetic areas of operations is still insufficient. Although recently
directed by the ministries of the Interior and Defense, joint operations in support of the ABP
occur infrequently. ABP leadership recognizes and struggles with continued corruption of their
forces, heavily exacerbated by political influence and nepotism that will endure beyond 2014.
Although many units perform well, some ABP units still undermine the rule of law, fail to take
action against criminal or insurgent threats, extort the population and engage in a range of other
criminal activities.
Afghan Uniform Police
As areas of Afghanistan increasingly transition to ANSF lead, and the ANA is better able to
handle the military aspects of the security mission, increased consideration is being given to
Afghan Uniform Police (AUP) reform as part of security sector reforms. These reforms include
the further professionalization of the AUP to create a police service that can actively deal with
criminality and has a sense of integrity, a code of ethics, an ability to engage with the community
and respect for the rule of law.
The greatest weakness within the AUP this reporting period continued to be corruption (both
perceived and actual), reports of AUP abuse of civilians and a lack of trust in the AUP from the
other ANSF components. Mistrust limits the AUP’s ability to conduct community-based
policing and effectively act on intelligence from other ANSF pillars. A lack of trained
patrolmen, and in some cases, DCOPs, affects all areas of police operations, especially the ability
to collect and preserve evidence.
Another major issue concerning the AUP is that the current C2 structure within the organization
does not provide the AUP Chief and his staff with the necessary authority to facilitate direction
and implementation of policies or influence activities at the regional level and below. Whether
the disbandment of the Police Zone system in March 2013 will positively or negatively affect
this problem remains to be seen.
Leadership continues to improve as poorly performing officers are removed. In many areas, the
removal of unsatisfactory officers has led to improved interaction with local governance, tribal
elders and other ANSF components, which enables the AUP to participate in joint operations.
The AUP has also improved their background checks to mitigate the risk of “Green on Blue”
incidents. Intelligence-driven operations have also improved since the last cycle, as well as
weapons maintenance and CIED training.
NTM-A plans to assist the international community in the long-term evolution of the AUP from
a security force into an effective police service by creating the conditions required for the police
to support and enforce the rule of law. The desired end-state is for the AUP to be a competent
police service that upholds the constitution of Afghanistan, provides internal security, respects
the rule of law and enforces the laws, while serving the people of Afghanistan in a professional,
non-discriminatory, accountable and trustworthy manner. However, this is a goal that many
other police forces in the region are still working towards, and the AUP will likely take many
years to progress significantly in this area. Key areas of influence for police professionalization
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