1. Key Messages/Main Effort(s)
The WGs continued to work on their respective topics: WG I directed its attention on the future ANP structure; WG II dedicated itself to the execution and implementation of six SOPs that will govern various aspects of the police/prosecutor relationship on a day-to-day basis; and WG III had discussions regarding the division of tasks between the IPPD process and SSMI.
2. Meetings and Activities
IPCB-Specific
IPCB WL (24 July)
The international Co-Chairs of the three WGs provided an update on progress which has been achieved throughout the reporting period (see the section “Institutional Reform/ANP Professionalization”).
In addition, Dr. Catherine Norman from the “Center for Naval Analysis – CNA” (CNA is a non-profit institution that conducts high-level, in-depth research and analysis) introduced her research which is titled “What do Afghans want from the Police”. The report is based upon interviews; the surveys and sources examined what Afghans from Helmand think about the ANP. The report stated clearly that the ANP should i) be professional, i.e. not abusive, undisciplined, or too corrupt; ii) provide security; iii) respond to the public’s call for assistance; and iv) has a limited role in criminal law enforcement. As hindrances to community engagement she identified the military mindset among the police, and cultural inhibitions.
Finally, Ms. Norman presented the desired way ahead: the ANP leadership in the MoI is to i) set up standards; ii) communicate expectations; and iii) hold the ANP accountable.
Introductory meetings
During the reporting period, the Deputy Head of the IPCB Sec and acting Head, Mr. Raphael Creemers, continued to meet representatives of the Diplomatic Corps (the Netherlands, accompanied by IPCB Sec’s Head of Police Component, CDR Wayne Buchhorn, Italy, and Estonia). The participants discussed general IPCB Sec matters, its future plans as well as discussing specific ongoing day-to-day IPCB Sec matters. The second focus was the progress of the three WGs, in particular their possible deliverables.
On 22 July, the Deputy Head of the IPCB Sec attended the Police Mentor Jirga (meeting). Likewise, he briefed on the mandate and tasks of the IPCB and its Secretariat. In addition, Mr. Creemers provided an overview of the road map for the second ANP/MoI conference (to be held in October) with a special emphasis on the current work of the three WGs.
Institutional Reform/ANP Professionalization
WG I (22 July)
Both the WG and its drafting team continue to meet on a weekly basis; currently the drafting team is working on the paper relating to the Roles and Responsibilities of the ANP. The WG itself continued to discuss the future ANP structure and initially the discussions were focused on DM and Minister of Interior’s level. However, discussions have now progressed to those departments which will be under the responsibility of the DMs. The structure discussions are envisaged to be completed at the end of July. Subsequently, the drafting team will be tasked with producing a draft paper. The WG plans to begin their discussions on the third deliverable “Developing a framework to formalize the on-going professionalization of the ANP” in early August.
WG II
During the reporting period, the WG has discussed the execution and implementation of six SOPs that will govern various aspects of the police/prosecutor relationship on a day-to-day basis. The WG Chair, DM Yarmand, is in the process of convening a technical SOP sub-committee for one meeting to review drafting technicalities, and will present the finalized documents at the next WG meeting. In order to achieve the goal of putting the Afghans in the lead and letting them take ownership of the process, the international Co-Chairs have stayed out of the sub-committee process but continue to monitor the progress. The agreement on the SOPs will pave the way for discussion of other SOPs targeted toward additional areas of cooperation.
WG III (23 July)
This was the first meeting with DM Sidiqqi as Chair of WG III. Topics of discussion included the division of tasks between the IPPD process and SSMI, for example, as well as the overlap between WG I and WG III with respect to the matter of structural reform. DM Siddiqi took the opportunity to share his vision, noting the importance of structural reform, and to engage in wide-ranging discussions regarding the areas noted in the WG ToRs.
Assessment and Community Policing
During the reporting period, IPCB Sec’s Assessment and Community Policing Officer assisted IPCB Sec’s Head of Police Component in regards to updating the SPAG sub-working groups. On 24 July, members of SPAG were hosted by the IPCB Sec in regards to further discussions with Doctor Norman and her paper “What do Afghans want from the Police” (see section “IPCB WL”).
Police/Justice Sector Reform and Rule of Law
Evidence Based Operations (EvBO) Seminar (18 July)
IPCB Sec’s Senior Legal Advisor participated in an EvBO seminar. The purpose of the seminar was to provide an overview of current developments and challenges and align GIRoA, Coalition and IC efforts to implement a process, called EvBO, designed to shift toward the criminalization of the insurgency. There were three main takeaways: i) for EvBO to be successful, the investigators and prosecutors need to be better trained in processing a crime scene, and in collecting and preserving evidence; ii) GIRoA needs to step-up its efforts in protecting judges, prosecutors and investigators from threats and assassinations; and iii) investigators and prosecutors need to increase the incidents of taking statements from suspects and witnesses at the crime scene. Likewise, the investigators and prosecutors need to better document their investigations.
3. Police Reform Database and Training Coordination
- Creation of new PRD user accounts: five EUPOL and one NTM-A
- Updating the IPCB website
- Ongoing construction of the PRD structure aimed at supporting the three WGs, and storing all WGs related documents for joint access
