EUPOL - Serving Afghanistan
Online Bi‐weekly Newsletter 21th October 2009 22 ‐ 09 French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner greeting EUPOL Maj Patrice Vallée Headlines:
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US Military Top Police Instructor Visits EUPOL
Continued Cooperation between EUPOL and CSTC-A
EUPOL Head of Mission Met the Commander of the European Gendarmerie Force
First Aid Training Course for the ANP in Badakhshan
US Embassy Legal Experts Visit EUPOL
And More…
EUPOL PRESS OFFICE US Military Top Police Instructor Visists EUPOL
Brigadier General David Phillips, Chief
of the Military Police Corps Regiment
and Commandant of U.S. Army Military
Police School at Fort Leonard Wood –
Missouri paid a visit to EUPOL during
his fact finding mission on police
reform in Afghanistan.
Head of Mission Kai Vittrup along with
Head of Mentors Nigel Thomas briefed
the high ranking official on EUPOL
strategic objectives and on the role on
police reform in Afghanistan.
BG Phillips and HoM Vittrup
Also in attendance were representatives of the Australian, German and Norwegian
bilateral police projects, as well as Combined Security Transitional Command Afghanistan (CSCT-A) personnel and the UNAMA Sr Police Advisor Khuda Bash
Chowdhury.
Following the meeting - that was assessed by the American delegation “very fruitful” EUPOL was requested to provide a further briefing on Intelligence Led Policing. Such
briefing took place the following day at the Department of Police Intelligence of the
Ministry of Interior.
EUPOL and Int’l partners meeting US Military Police Corps Delegation
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EUPOL Handover UK Donated Equipment to Kabul Traffic
Police and Start a New Traffic Police Training Programme
Sgt Lee Davies and Col Haji Nasir Ahmed, Deputy of Arrangement Affairs of the Kabul Traffic Police
On the 4th October EUPOL officer Lee Davies handed over hundreds of fluorescent
jackets to the Kabul Traffic Police at the start of a new Traffic Police Training
Programme. This new training programme will focus on police safety, traffic accidents
and the searching of vehicles and occupants.
Sergeant Davies, from the London Metropolitan Police, coordinated the project as
member of the Kabul City Police Project Team. He was instrumental in bringing the
bright yellow jackets from various UK police forces .“When I arrived in Kabul nearly
one year ago, one of the first things that I noticed was how poorly equipped the Traffic
Police were” Lee said. They stand in the road directing traffic with little in the way of
protective equipment. At night they are almost impossible to see because there are no
street lights. They take their lives in their hands on a daily basis. I wanted to do
something to help make their working conditions a little better. I am very grateful to my
colleagues back in the UK for donating so many new and pre-owned jackets and grateful
to the UK military for facilitating their transport. Not only will these jackets give greater
visibility, but they will add an extra layer of warmth for the cold season which is
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approaching. Another benefit that we have learned back in England is that highly visible
police are also a deterrent to would-be criminals.”
The jackets were gratefully received by Colonel Haji Nasir Ahmed, Deputy of
Arrangement Affairs of the Kabul Traffic Police Department. Col Nasir thanked EUPOL
for the new jackets and said that they will be very useful in protecting his colleagues.
“Kabul Traffic Policemen are injured every day”, Col Nasir added. “Three have been
killed in the last year and many more have serious injuries. I think that these new jackets
will help to protect my policemen. But I would like the international community to do
more and see if they can help us to get gloves and face masks. Every day we stand in the
traffic circles eating dust, we know that it is taking years off our lives but we have to do
this to serve our people and to serve our government.”
The Traffic Police Training Programme is scheduled to run for eight consecutive weeks
and will reach 200 of the 1200 Traffic Police in Kabul City.
Kabul Traffic Police officers wearing fluorescent jackets delivered by EUPOL
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EUPOL Donates Computers to Military Judges and Prosecutors
EUPOL has handed over thirteen computers to an equal number of departments under
the authority of the Deputy Military Attorney General Abdul Fatah Azizi. Another six
computers were handed over to the Military Court of Appeal. The computers were
donated by the German Government.
According to the national law the Afghan National Police (ANP) and government
officials with a military rank are considered as military and are therefore prosecuted by
military magistrates and tried in front of military courts.
General Abdul Khaliq Haleem and EUPOL DHoM/RoL Dr. Karin Mueller
During the official hand over ceremony Deputy Head of Mission in charge of Rule of
Law, Dr. Karin Mueller, highlighted the young but excellent working relationship
between the Military Justice Sector and EUPOL. President of the Military Court of
Appeal General Abdul Khaliq Haleem stressed the fact that EUPOL was the first
international institution in Afghanistan committed to support the military judiciary which
is a key in establishing a police service trusted by the Afghan population.
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Dr. Gregor Kemper, Project Leader Military Justice, and General Fatah, Deputy Military Attorney General
It is generally recognized that training goes hand in hand with crime prevention in a
functioning society, including its public service. Given the current conditions in
Afghanistan, even the best trained police is exposed to the threat of corruption, i.e.
becoming a part of corruption, if the criminal justice sector is too weak to fulfill its
preventive role. “Given EUPOL’s mandate it is therefore essential to support the
Military Justice Sector by providing training, ongoing mentoring and, where possible, the
necessary equipment”, says Dr. Gregor Kemper, EUPOL Military Justice Project Leader.
Prosecutors, judges and the staff in their administrative departments will now be trained
on the new equipment. It is expected that court decisions and indictments will now be
drafted and administered more efficiently.
It is worthy of note that EUPOL Logistics Officer, Erwin Theileis, was instrumental in
organizing the transport and distribution of the computers.
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Continued Cooperation between EUPOL and CSTC-A
EUPOL officer Markus Loichen
In an effort to enhance cooperation with
the
Combined
Security
Transition
Command Afghanistan (CSTC-A) EUPOL
recently assigned Officer Markus Loichen
to work in the CSTC-A/CJ-2. Lieutenant
Loichen will function as a liaison officer
between the two organizations. The
assignment of a EUPOL member to CSTCA will allow the two entities to move
forward together and strategize their
efforts in unison.
The creation of the position is a huge step toward the establishment of a solid
relationship with one of EUPOL’s most important partners in Afghanistan.
During his assignment to CSTC-A, Loichen will continue to mentor the Chief of the
Criminal Investigations Department (CID), General Mirza Mohammad Yarmand.
Additionally, he will partner Special Agent Jennifer Renko, United States Air Force
Office of Special Investigations, who currently serves as the CSTC-A/CJ-2 Criminal
Intelligence Mentor for the Ministry of Interior Criminal Investigation Department
(CID).
In working with the CID, mentors identified an immediate need for crime scene
investigation training and equipment. Hence, a second major project is in development
to purchase this equipment and provide a crime scene investigations course to
investigators. CSTC-A and EUPOL are now working together with the CID to identify
specific equipment required. Once procured, extensive training will be presented to
investigators to provide them with the skills necessary to carry out professional
investigations of major crime scenes.
Cooperation between EUPOL and CSTC-A will undoubtedly grow in the future and will
most certainly offer unique opportunities for EUPOL to coordinate mentoring efforts
and to improve the capabilities and capacities of the Afghan National Police.
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French Foreign Minister Visits Kabul
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner paid a two days visit to Afghanistan to
express the deep interest of Europe and the International Community in the electoral
process. The Head of the French diplomacy wished that results will be fully accepted by
the candidates and by the Afghan population and that a “new season of development”
for the Country can start soon.
Aside to the press conference Dr Kouchner met EUPOL Maj Patrice Vallée and wished
him the best success in his endeavours within the European Union Police Mission.
Ambassador d'Amécourt, Maj Vallée and Minister Kouchner
Italian Minister of Defence in Kabul
Defence Minister of Italy Ignazio La Russa visited its troops deployed in Kabul on the 8th
of October. Addressing the soldiers at Camp Invicta the Italian Sr Government official
paid tribute to the six Italian paratroopers who lost their lives in the Spt 17th ambush
near the Massoud Circle.
Minister La Russa praised the efforts of the international peacekeepers in the assistance
to the Afghan security forces and reiterated the Italian commitment to Afghanistan.
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“We will remain in the Country as long as the legitimate Government and the Afghan
forces will need our support”, Hon La Russa said.
Carabinieri CWO Novaro, Minister La Russa and Chief Inspector Russo
“Behave young man! Otherwise I’ll inform
my friend D’Arrigo” (Commanding General
of the Italian Guardia di Finanza). Minister
La Russa said with a smile on his face to
EUPOL Chief Inspector Russo.
Minister La Russa and Chief Inspector Russo
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EUPOL Head of Mission Met the Commander of the
European Gendarmerie Force
Police Commissioner Kai Vittrup met last
week at Camp Eggers Colonel Jorge
Esteves, the Commander of the European
Gendarmerie
Force
(also
called
EuroGendFor - EGF).
Col Esteves, a distinguished officer from
the
Portuguese
Guarda
Nacional
Republicana, led a EGF fact finding team
who spent several days in Kabul as guest
of the Combined Training Advisor
Group– Police (CTAG-P).
EGF and EUPOL meeting
In addition to the meeting with the Head of Mission, the EGF Team had several other
working sessions with EUPOL representatives, in particular with Major Michel Couplan
and Chief Inspector Michael Hansen, who have been seconded to CTAG-P for a month
as training advisors.
More specifically the meetings
were aimed at studying the
conditions in which EGF can
best contribute on the EUPOL
training
to
the
Afghan
National Civilian Order Police
(whose name might be
changed soon in Afghan
National Gendarmerie).
At the end of his tour Col
Esteves paid tribute to the
EUPOL
activities
and
expressed EGF willingness to
cooperate more closely in
Afghanistan with the European
Union Police Mission.
Col Esteves and HoM Vittrup
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US Embassy Legal Experts Visit EUPOL
Amb Wayne and HoM Vittrup shaking hands
The Director and Coordinator for Economic Development and Assistance at the US
Embassy Ambassador Anthony Wayne paid a working visit to EUPOL earlier this week.
The senior American diplomat, who was joined by his deputy Alyce Tidball, Rule of Law
Coordinator Sylvia Johnson and the Rule of Law Coordinator and Political-Military
Affairs Officer Zachary Harkenrider, was briefed by Head of Mission Kai Vittrup and
command staff on EUPOL activities, particularly in the Rule of Law area.
Amb Wayne, HoM Vittrup and US Embassy legal experts
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Great emphasis was put by both parties on the need for coordination among the many
stakeholders involved in anti-corruption programs, especially when the NATO Training
Mission –Afghanistan (NTM-A) increases its presence in the field.
In the course of the meeting it was discussed the anti-corruption conference due to
take place at the beginning of December and the possibility to organize a regional
conferences on lessons learned for Rule of Law officers deployed in the field.
EUPOL Places a New Emphasis on the Human Rights and
Gender Issues
Issues pertaining to human
rights and gender have
always played a prominent
role in the efforts of EUPOL
to support the Government
in the creation of a modern
police force, capable of
effectively
serving
and
protecting the people of
Afghanistan.
The developments of the
past several months have
again put in prominence the
human rights and gender
issues, as critically important
for the -
Afghan National Police Academy
credibility of the police as a guarantor of law and order in the country.
As a response to these new circumstances, the Police Commissioner Vittrup took the
decision to strengthen the human rights component in all training and mentoring
activities of EUPOL and to redouble the efforts to make the human rights training and
education within the Afghan National Police (ANP) sustainable and self-perpetuating.
To that effect a new initiative was launched with the Ministry of Interior, aiming at
setting up the Department of Human Rights and Gender at the Police Academy. The
initiative was fully supported by Minister Atmar, and a full range of documents, including
the Tashkeel, was prepared, pending to be sent for donor funding.
The investment of time and expertise in this project has obvious advantages over the ad
hoc training activities: the ANP students at the Police Academy will be exposed on a
permanent basis and at the highest level of expertise available in the country to human
rights and gender issues throughout the whole period of study. Moreover, EUPOL will
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be supporting this initiative by various means, including the curriculum development,
human rights capacity building of the lecturers, provision of training materials, etc.
From his part Police Commissioner Vittrup suggested and strongly recommended to
include the human rights and gender component in all training programmes conducted
by EUPOL, without exception. As the Head of Mission put it, “the human rights input in
the training, to be effective, should not necessarily be packaged in the form of a selfcontained human rights course: it would be more effective to infuse every topic of the
police training with the accompanying human rights standards and provisions. For
example, issues around arrest and detention should be accompanied with information
reflecting human rights standards.” He added “We should make sure that the ANP rankand-file knows that under such procedures the human dignity and the basic human rights
of the detainee should be preserved at all costs.”
It should be noted that this renewed (and in no way a new one!) commitment to imbue
the police work of EUPOL with human rights, resonates prominently with the stance of
the current Swedish EU Presidency, emphasizing human rights as one of its stated
priorities.
EUPOL and GPPT
Surveillance Teams
Facilitate
the
Upgrading
of ANP
The EUPOL Criminal
Investigation Department
(CID)/Surveillance
Mentoring
Team
delivered last week a
“Train
the
Trainer
course” on behalf of the
Directorate of Police
Information and CID/Anti
Crime
Surveillance
Teams.
The
equipment
was
donated by the German
Police Project Team
(GPPT) and an EUPOL EUPOL CID Head Mentor of Surveillance Dirk Meyer hands over certificate
trainer
for
basic to a participant
computer skills took part
in the course.
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Ten trainers of the above mentioned teams were trained and successfully completed the
five day course. Throughout the course the trainees showed a high degree of
determination and professionalism dealing with the covert surveillance equipment.
The handover ceremony of approx. 60.000 euro worth equipment has taken place at
the Border Protection Battalion. The Afghan surveillance teams now have the capacity
to work in a more efficient manner utilizing donated covert surveillance equipment.
First Aid Training Course for the ANP Badakshan
EUPOL Feyzabad Team organized last week a first aid training session for the Afghan
National Police (ANP) of the Badakshan Province.
The two day course was held by German Army medical personnel attached to ISAF and
intended to be a “Train the Trainer” model, since participants will then train in first aid
their colleagues in the districts.
Federal German
commemorative stamp
by 1969
Participants of the course
At the end of the course, the police officers received a Certificate and a first aid kit
donated by the Malteser Hilfsdienst, a German Ngo very well known in the area of
emergency preparedness.
“The courses will continue in the coming weeks with classes of ten police officers from
the different districts”, EUPOL Feyzabad Lt Joachim Wiehn and Lt Michael Ehlert said.
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EUPOL in the Line of Duty
Head of Mission Kai Vittrup paid tribute to staff members Pekka Kokkonen, Yaqutshah
Qureshi and Michael Holdsworth presenting them with a EUPOL plaque in a simple
ceremony that took place at the HQ. Superintendent Kokkonen, a Mentor at the
Ministry of Interior, was injured in the hand by flying glass as result of the bomb attack
at the Indian Embassy earlier this month. He was on duty at the Ministry of Interior
conducting his daily training activity with colleagues Chief Insp Michael Holdsworth and
Yaqutshah Qureshi – who was slightly injured as well in the blast. One of the
participants of the course was killed and another seriously injured. Insp
Giovanni Mancino, Sgt Paul Reshaur and Chief Insp Ben Snugs were also present at MoI
at the time of the incident.
On the same day Ambassador of Finland H.E. Timo Oula paid a courtesy call to Police
Commissioner Vittrup. On that occasion Amb Oula congratulated Supt Kokkonen for
his commitment and expressed his appreciation for the hard work of the Finnish police
officers and rule of law experts serving under the EUPOL flag.
HoM Vittrup and Supt Kokkonen
Supt Kokkonen, HoM Vittrup and Amb Oula
HoM Vittrup and LO Qureshi
HoM Vittrup and Chief Insp Holdsworth
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EUPOL Head of Mission’s Page
EUPOL AFGHANISTAN
Cooperation and Coordination
Many Stakeholders are already dealing with Police training in
Afghanistan and there are more to follow. The NATO Training
Mission – Afghanistan (NTM-A) is already on the ground and the
European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) has a fact finding Team in theatre
carrying out assessments.
EUPOL welcome both organisations. Their contribution is much
needed and with their participation as key stakeholders, training of the
Afghan National Police can only move forward. The underlying
principle however is that all efforts have to be coordinated through
IPCB and with bilateral cooperation.
In this relation, the cooperation between CSTC-A and EUPOL can
serve as an example of how two Major Stakeholders, US (CSTC-A)
and EU (EUPOL), both with different capacity and capability can
complement each other in achieving common goals. EUPOL will follow
this example with our new partners.
The main challenge for the overall coordination however, is in the
hands of the IPCB structure. The IPCB needs to be proactive, in order
to bring the new stakeholders on board and to convince all members
of the IPCB that IPCB is NOT a delaying factor but a necessary
component to coordinate between all Stakeholders dealing with Police
training and development.
EUPOL will support IPCB in this endeavour.
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The Portrait: David O’Donnell of Britain
David Thomas O’Donnell is one of the five courageous EUPOL officers based in Lashkar
Gah, 52 years old, retired detective superintendent from Merseyside Police, in North
West England, Commander O’Donnell is responsible for the development, supervision
and implementation of the EUPOL policing plan in the Helmand Province. He is also in
charge for mentoring the Provincial Chief of Police, providing advice and guidance for all
policing issues. As Senior EUPOL Officer David coordinates all police mentoring
activities within the Province, delivering detailed presentations to International
Organisations and high level visitors on the police mission in Helmand.
Police officer since 1976, David has performed all roles within the Criminal Investigation
Department at each rank. Late in his career he continued with this role in the Force
Intelligence Bureau overseeing all aspects of performance and performance management
within the department. Commander O’Donnell retired as Head of the Force Intelligence
Unit and had the lead role within the Force for the European Convention on Human
Rights and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act issues in relation to overt and
covert surveillance operations.
Great soccer midfielder, David regrets he cannot play down in Lashkar Gah and he
misses the Liverpool games he used to see at the stadium every other Saturday. Apart
from that, he’s not homesick in Helmand, a place where (someone says) ... only the
strong survive.
Detective Supt David O’Donnell
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EUPOL TODAY
(October
21
2009)
EUPOL’s mission strength
is currently 270 internationals (171 police officers,
18 Rule of Law experts, 81
civilian experts) and 163
nationals.
The 270 internationals are
deployed as follows: 179 at
the EUPOL HQ in Kabul
(including five assigned to
the International Police
Coordinating Board, IPCB
Secretariat); 91 in the
regions; and 3 providing
support within the Mission
Support Element in Brussels.
EUPOL - Serving Afghanistan is the bi-weekly online magazine of the European Union Police Mission
in Afghanistan. Our aim is to provide an overview of EUPOL activities throughout the Country. Text
and photo contributions from the provinces are most welcome.
Editorial Staff
Andrea Angeli
Poul Smidt
[email protected]
+93 799 304 261
[email protected]
+93 793 990 073
Aziz Basam
Khan Etebari
[email protected] [email protected]
+93 700 037 120
+93 700 197 171
EUPOL’s Website: www.eupol-afg.eu
Consultants: EUPOL Political Advisors
Mission Statement: EUPOL Afghanistan shall significantly contribute to the
establishment under Afghan ownership of sustainable and effective civilian policing
arrangements, which will ensure appropriate interaction with the wider criminal
justice system, in keeping with the policy advice and institution-building work of the
Community, Member States and other international actors. Further the Mission will
support the reform process towards a trusted and efficient police service, which
works in accordance with international standards, within the framework of the rule
of law and respects human rights.
COUNCIL JOINT ACTION 2007/369/CFSP of 30 May 2007on establishment of the European Union
Police Mission in Afghanistan
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