"A controversial scheme that pays and arms Afghans to defend their villages in
areas with a strong insurgent presence is likely to be expanded and extended, a
senior officer from the NATO-led coalition fighting in Afghanistan has
said.
The Afghan Local Police (ALP) were a flagship project of General David Petraeus, who stepped down as commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan earlier this year, but have been criticized by human rights groups.
Petraeus described them as one of the most critical planks of a stepped-up push for security. They aim to use modest salaries and foreign mentors to build or formalize local protection networks in areas with little army or police presence.
Original plans called for up to 30,000 members, though only around 10,000 are in place at the moment.
The scheme, launched in 2010, was originally expected to last no more than five years, after which units would be demobilized or absorbed into the regular police."
The Afghan Local Police (ALP) were a flagship project of General David Petraeus, who stepped down as commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan earlier this year, but have been criticized by human rights groups.
Petraeus described them as one of the most critical planks of a stepped-up push for security. They aim to use modest salaries and foreign mentors to build or formalize local protection networks in areas with little army or police presence.
Original plans called for up to 30,000 members, though only around 10,000 are in place at the moment.
The scheme, launched in 2010, was originally expected to last no more than five years, after which units would be demobilized or absorbed into the regular police."
