Ineffective, unprofessional, and corrupt : the Afghan National Police challenge / by Andrew Legon.

Caption title.

“June 2009”.

Includes bibliographical references.

Summary: “Although nascent, efforts in the Helmand rule of law sector are the kind of radical thinking needed to build and reform the Afghan National Police. This has not been the case for American efforts. Even a focus on accepted and well-tested police reform measures, including institutional restructuring or strong accountability mechanisms, could have justified the description of Obama’s strategy as “new” in many ways Obama’s first 100 days in office is shifted the political terrain of American and global politics; all the more disappointing, then, that his approach towards the ANP draws so heavily on the policies which his predecessor implemented—policies that have demonstrably failed. An effective, professional police force is crucial for the stability of Afghanistan. The space for meaningful reform to achieve this, however, is fast diminishing; the recent BBC

RUSI poll suggests support for the Karzai government is waning, currently just reaching 55 percent compared to 78 percent in 2006. to regain the initiative, Obama must take his own advice: it is “going forward” rather than “blindly staying the course” that wil bring about the required change in the Afghan National Police”—(p. [7]).