Afghanistan
In early 2006 a request was received from the British Foreign Secretary that Australia contribute police as mentors for the newly created Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA).
During a reconnaissance activity to scope the feasibility of this request Australia was also invited to contribute police to the Combined Security Transition Command — Afghanistan (CSTC-A) who were helping to establish a viable Afghanistan National Army (ANA) and an Afghanistan National Police (ANP).
The CSTC-A is the subordinate unit of CFC-A that works with the Afghanistan Government and the international community to reconstruct the Afghan security and defence sectors.
The reconstruction of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan defence sector is being undertaken by the CSTC-A, who are recruiting soldiers to train the recruiters, organising the Ministry of Defence and mentoring its senior leaders and the General Staff.
The CSTC-A is also responsible for acquiring weapons, uniforms and equipment, as well as developing the policies and processes needed by a modern army to establish the viable acquisition, personnel and other systems needed to support a working military infrastructure.
Alongside Germany, the lead nation in Afghan Police reform, and other members of the international community, CSTC-A works to deliver a professional police force that will enhance the security of the Afghan people and establish rule of law in Afghanistan.
Australia has agreed to provide two officers to advise and mentor senior CNPA staff in Jalalabad (in the eastern part of the country) and two to work with the CSTC-A in Kabul (the capital) as the Australian command element and to provide policing advice and policy development and mentoring for senior ANP personnel.
