Reforming police institutions in fragile states: A case study of the Afghan National Police collapse

Abstract

Objectives:This paper investigates the collapse of the Afghan National Police (ANP) in 2021 as a representative case of institutional breakdown in fragile states. The study aims to identify key internal and external factors that led to the dissolution of a vital public security institution, drawing attention to the challenges of building sustainable and resilient governance structures in post-conflict environments. Prior work:The paper is grounded in prior studies on fragile state governance, police reform, and institutional capacity, with particular focus on international interventions and their consequences on local legitimacy. Approach:The approach involves qualitative analysis based on field reports, scholarly studies, and international policy documents. By examining leadership failure, corruption, political fragmentation, and the role of foreign dependency, the study offers a nuanced understanding of the ANP's collapse. Results:Results indicate that externally driven reforms without adequate integration of local norms and community-based policing practices contributed to public distrust and functional failure. The study also finds that rapid withdrawal of international support accelerated the collapse due to poor contingency planning and weak institutional ownership. Implications:The implications of this research are significant for future reforms in similar fragile contexts. It highlights the need for inclusive, context-sensitive, and locally owned reform strategies. Value:The value of the study lies in its contribution to public administration discourse, especially in the area of smart governance and post-conflict institution building, offering lessons for both policy-makers and scholars focused on crisis resilience and public security.