Police among other security agencies is the most connected and closest structure to communities. People are constantly in contact with the police in their daily affairs. Because of such close relationship, the duty of police is more difficult than that of other security institutions. Since the attitude of police in the community shapes the core of public’s perception about government, the police should behave in a manner that brings people and government together and forges a strong bond between them, but there is unfortunately a different situation now. Police are on the top of government agencies with which citizens are most unhappy.
In recent years, the government has not paid enough attention to police reform due to intensification of war and overconcentration on other security apparatuses. The overhaul of police has again become a hot topic in recent weeks after Amrullah Saleh, an ex-spymaster, took up office as acting interior minister. Since assuming the charge, he has issued a number of directives aimed at reforming the police. It is a welcome development and a step forward, but it is not enough. There is a practice in Afghanistan that when a person is appointed to a leadership position, he or she embarks on taking some symbolic steps, but forgets about the reform agenda later on. Hopefully, the new leadership of the Ministry of Interior will break through the culture, and bring about reforms that can restore the public’s eroded trust in the police.
Given its broadness, the restructuring of police is a long-term process, especially when the police are busy undertaking other roles besides maintaining public order and being a law enforcement force as their main duties. Nevertheless, the police leadership and ranks can be purged of corrupt individuals if there is a political will. For reforms, there is now need for decisiveness in the leadership of Ministry of Interior, and strong backup of government as a whole. If the government doesn’t appropriately support the reform agenda, the efforts will end up in failure as in the past. If the police are not reformed, the distance between government and people can further widen, thereby shrinking the chances of survival of the regime. Taking into account the threat, government leaders and politicians should also join hands to depoliticize and reform the police so that it becomes a professional force committed to the country’s best interests and faithfully serving the nation. It is the only way they can secure public’s trust and support which are, in turn, key to their success.