Afghanistan needs a strong police force to contribute to peace, security and safety to the Afghan people in a society based on the rule of law.

The European Union launched the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL Afghanistan) in June 2007. The mandate instructs EUPOL to contribute to the establishment of sustainable and effective policing arrangements in all parts of Afghanistan.

With an international staff of experienced police officers from member states in the European Union and from Canada, Croatia, New Zealand and Norway, EUPOL is providing training to the Afghan National Police.

The Mission also monitors, mentors and advises at the level of the Afghan Ministry of Interior, regions and provinces and is doing so in close cooperation with international partners in the International Police Coordination Board, most notably The Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.

Brigadier General Jukka Savolainen is the Head of Mission. The mission headquarters is in Kabul.

EUPOL Officer monitoring Afghan police training (More photos in the Photo Gallery)	Click to get brief information on EUPOL