Kabul, September 2012. One important step towards transition has been taken at the Staff College in Kabul: Colonel Gull Mohammad is the first Afghan trainer delivering a course to senior officers of the Afghan National Police (ANP). During his first visit to the Staff College, Karl Åke Roghe, EUPOL Afghanistan’s new Head of mission, witnessed how both EUPOL and Afghan trainers are working together to develop the leadership skills of senior officers in the ANP. Roghe welcomed and praised the joint efforts: “This is our future, our vision: Enabling Afghan trainers to deliver courses themselves with the support of EUPOL mentors and trainers.”

Kunduz, September 2012. On his first visit to Kunduz, Karl Ake Roghe, EUPOL Afghanistan’s Head of Mission in Afghanistan, received a warm welcome from EUPOL’s field office staff members but also the Dutch Police Training Group and Kunduz’ Provincial Chief of Police. The visit was the launch of Roghe’s tour throughout the country since his arrival in Kabul as the new chief of EUPOL. The aim of the tour is to inform himself on the ground about the challenges and successes of EUPOL’s field offices.

Kabul, August 2012. On 9 August Karl Åke Roghe (Sweden) took his position as the Head of Mission of the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL Afghanistan). He represents EUPOL Afghanistan in Kabul and will work with his staff to support EUPOL Afghanistans aim to contribute to the establishment of a professional, trusted and efficient Afghan Police Force which will ensure appropriate interaction with the wider criminal justice system under Afghan ownership.

Kabul, August 2012. Colonel Ghulam Mobien is a man that has seen it all during his 37 years of police service. As the leader of one of the Mobile Anti-Corruption Teams he is been involved in countless anti-corruption investigations across the country. His latest cases include an allegation of police officers taking money from the public at check points, the misappropriation of several million Afghani by government contractors, the illegal sale of government issued weapons, senior police staff involved in drug trafficking -  just to name but a few.

Kabul, August 2012. An easy question to ask is: “How do we know that the training we deliver works in the field?” This is however a more difficult and complex question to answer. Nevertheless this is a question that EUPOLs Training Component (ETC) is now focusing upon.

Whilst there is plenty of evidence regarding the numbers of officers who have received training at the Police Staff College and the new Crime Management College, attention is now been drawn to whether the training delivered results in a tangible difference back in the workplace, regarding the impact and outcomes it has. In particular evidence is now being sought which points to changed behaviour of the officers and examples of increased performance.

Kabul, July 2012. Map reading and the usage of GPS were the main themes of a practical training session for the participants in the in the Provincial Management Course (PMC) at the Police Staff College. The session held by Captain Mohebullah from the Afghan National Police (ANP) was extra-curricular to the already packed schedule of the PMC and was gratefully received by the leaders of Balkh Province.

Kabul, July 2012. A ground breaking initiative has begun to take shape at the Police Staff College in Kabul, between Training Component rule of law experts Jan Gras and Edris Arib, and the Military Appeal Court Judges. This new programme of training will see newly appointed military judges attending the latest development of police leadership training at the Staff College.