While offering the prospect of hope, this was an isolated example: the army remains in poor shape. However, it is a well-oiled machine compared with what could be seen of the Afghan police force last week. Station three [in Kabul - JMM] should have had some of the best policemen in the city. The neighbourhood is home to more than 30 foreign companies, a university and two ministries.
Habibzani, the deputy, spelt out the problems. He had graduated from the Kabul police academy, but he could barely support his family of five on an officer’s salary of $200 (£120) a month.
The $120 paid to the lowest ranks meant the force attracted those who had no other possibilities — and needed the three meals a day that come with the job — but also meant they felt no guilt about demanding bribes.
A key aspect of the US strategy is to make working for the state more attractive than taking the Taliban’s shilling.
Yet there was no sign of the wage increase to $165 that the government had announced. Meanwhile, the Taliban pay $220 a month.
Habibzani said 90% of the police could not read or write. Abdullah Fattah, a police trainer standing with him in the gloom of the hallway as black cables dangled uselessly from the ceiling, said police received five months’ training. “They start from such a low level. I need five years,” he said. “With all the attention of the international community, maybe three years minimum.”
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