KABUL - Interior Minister Taj Mohammad Jahid on Monday said efforts must be stimulated to fill the gap between police and the people.
He confirmed that inaction within the police ranks have increased mistrust in police activities among the public.
"If we judge honestly, there is distance between police and the people. There are a number of shortcomings. The real demands of the people have not been addressed," Jahid said.
"The public councils have been established in 25 provinces including districts and the areas where we have police offices," said Gen. Humayun Aini, head of local police.
"Workshops such as this demonstrates the MoI's commitment to implementing some of their long term strategic plans to implement community placing including strengthening public trust towards the police across the country ," said Stephen Moore, project manager at UNDP Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) urged government to increase the number of female recruits among police force members.
"How can females who make over 50 percent of the population in any country trust the police service if they can join the police service and serve as a female police officer," said Philip Haynes, head MoI reform component.
The MoI noted that religious scholars, tribal elders and members of civil society institutions will be included in the structure of the councils. (Tolonews)