Law enforcement in Afghanistan

Law enforcement in Afghanistan is one of three major components of the nation's criminal justice system, along with courts and corrections.

Originally a force of the Western-backed government, it was reorganized as an arm of the Taliban after its takeover of the country.

The mission of the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP) was to provide civil order presence patrols, prevent violent public incidents, and provide crisis and anti-terror response in urban and metropolitan environments.

In 2003 the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), under the command of NATO, was extended and expanded beyond the Kabul Province.

In some areas unoccupied by ISAF forces, local militias maintained control though being partially disarmed under programs started by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.