THE current policing model in Bangladesh is antiquated and ineffective. People have been subjected to an ineffective police system for 15 years. One proposal that is emerging as the police reform discussions pick up steam is that the police should be placed under a separate commission or be connected to an independent ministry to keep them independent of the government and political parties. The proposal may sound fantastic, but in practice, it is a suicidal and 鈥榰topian鈥� state decision. The state police force鈥檚 role is to serve the public and maintain public safety under the authority of the government. The government is directly elected by the people in a democratic state and the government must have direct access to many key state organs, including the police, to deliver prompt and high-quality state services. It is one thing for the government to have access to a state organ and it is quite another to meddle in an organ.
The demand that the police should be placed under a separate commission or linked to an independent ministry is understandable given that people have a negative memory of the 鈥榞overnment police鈥� during the fascist Awami League regime. However, it is also important for people to keep in mind that the problems of the police are not only politically created, but there is also an internal crisis of the police for these problems. The situation will be like releasing some giant fish among the countless innocent fish in the pond and only the giant fish will be satisfied with whatever work is done.
This is because placing the police under an independent body with no 鈥榗hecks and balances鈥� to solve politically created problems will not solve the police鈥檚 internal problems but will, instead, pave the way for the establishment of another army. The police are experiencing an internal crisis known as the 鈥榤oral crisis鈥�, which has affected people in recent years. There is no prior instance in the nation鈥檚 history where a police officer has resigned from his position after witnessing a police violation of rights or expressed his incapacity to take part in state oppression.
Bangladesh is dealing with a police crisis. Putting the police under a separate commission or subordinating them to an independent ministry means allowing the police to become more of a monster because separating the police without removing the habitual dangerous germs in the police or keeping them in the lap of the government will be a stubborn thing. The only solution is the decentralisation of police power and involving the police with people. The decentralisation of police power is easily possible by involving the police with people. Such a police concept is not new in the world. It is known as community-based policing.
Community-based policing creates police involvement with every class of society through which the police become the people and the people become the police. Through such interaction, the responsibility of one of the police and the citizen is assigned to the other. As a result, the arbitrariness of the police can be easily reined in. However, community-based policing alone is not enough to make the police structure stronger. Another type of police structure can be implemented along with it which is democratic policing. It is possible to build a strong police structure with the combined application of community-based policing and democratic policing and this will be a practical, timely decision.
Community-based policing: Community-based policing operates in three ways 鈥� public relations efforts, community service and activities, and community policing. Public relations efforts focus on building trust and fostering transparency between the police and the public. Initiatives such as open police stations, community dialogues and media campaigns showcasing positive stories aim at improving the image of law enforcement and encourage citizen engagement. The efforts make the police more approachable and foster mutual respect.
Community service and activities emphasise the police鈥檚 role in contributing to public welfare beyond enforcing the laws. Programmes like youth engagement through sports and cultural events, educational campaigns on drug abuse, road safety and domestic violence as well as disaster response and health drives demonstrate the police鈥檚 commitment to the community鈥檚 well-being. Such activities build strong relationships and ensure that citizens view the police as allies rather than enforcers.
Community policing is the cornerstone of community-based policing, focusing on proactive crime prevention through joint efforts between law enforcement units and the community. This includes neighbourhood watch programmes, community police forums for problem-solving, beat policing to establish trust in specific areas and conflict resolution initiatives to address disputes before they escalate. By involving citizens in addressing safety concerns, community-based policing enhances public security, reduces crime and strengthens social cohesion. Community policing was first implemented in Bangladesh in 1990 as a pilot project in Mymensingh and it has since spread to other districts. However, its implementation frequently overlooks the key philosophical aspects that are critical to its success: collaboration, organisational reform and problem-solving.
To successfully implement community-based policing, institutional reforms, proper training of police officers and active citizen participation are essential. When these three components work together, they transform policing into a collaborative, people-centred service that not only addresses crime but also contributes to a more peaceful and harmonious society. By fostering trust, engaging in meaningful service, and promoting community collaboration, community-based policing can significantly improve the relationship between the police and the people, ensuring long-term security and social harmony.
Democratic policing: Democratic policing is a modern approach to law enforcement rooted in fundamental values of democracy 鈥� accountability, transparency and respect for rights. Unlike authoritarian practices, which often serve political or state agendas, democratic policing places the interests of all citizens at its core. It ensures that law enforcement agencies function as impartial protectors, working within the legal framework while being accountable to both the public and democratic institutions.
Mechanisms such as civilian oversight boards, independent complaints commissions and parliamentary reviews play a vital role in ensuring that police operations are transparent and subject to public scrutiny. Transparency builds confidence by allowing citizens to observe how decisions are made and how resources are used. By adhering to these principles, democratic policing creates a foundation of trust between the police and the community. This trust encourages cooperation, fostering a shared commitment to public safety while ensuring that policing practices uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals.
Central to democratic policing is a strong emphasis on collaboration between the police and the communities they serve. Law enforcement agencies are not just enforcers of laws but active partners in problem-solving alongside citizens. This partnership builds mutual respect, improves public trust, and ensures that law enforcement addresses the real needs of communities. Inclusivity is another hallmark of democratic policing, requiring law enforcement to be sensitive to cultural, social, and religious diversity within society. This inclusiveness makes the police more representative of the people they serve, which in turn strengthens their legitimacy.
Proportionality in the use of force is another core principle, ensuring that police action adheres to international rights standards and are conducted with restraint and fairness. Beyond enforcement, democratic policing also emphasizes proactive crime prevention through community-focused initiatives like neighbourhood watch programs, public safety forums, and youth engagement activities. These efforts empower citizens to play an active role in ensuring safety, creating a sense of shared responsibility while reducing crime and improving societal cohesion.
For Bangladesh to embrace democratic policing, significant reforms are required at both the structural and cultural levels. Law enforcement officers must receive comprehensive training in ethics, rights and community relations to better understand their role as public servants and protectors of democracy. Recruitment policies should prioritise diversity, ensuring that the police force reflects the nation鈥檚 demographic makeup, particularly by including marginalised and minority groups. Political neutrality is essential. The police must operate independently of political influences to serve all citizens impartially. Community policing initiatives such as neighbourhood watch programmes and public forums should be scaled up to enhance collaboration between the police and the public.
Technology can also play a crucial role in fostering transparency and accountability, with tools like digital reporting systems and public feedback platforms offering new ways to connect with citizens. Additionally, addressing historical grievances and abuses of power is essential for rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the public. This can be achieved through acknowledgment of past injustice, institutional reforms and reparations, where needed. Partnerships with civil society organisations and sustained governmental support will also be critical to the success of these initiatives. By adopting the strategies, the police can transform into a democratic, inclusive, and community-focused institution that prioritizes justice, equality, and public safety.
Democratic policing and community-based policing are complementary models that prioritise trust, collaboration and accountability between law enforcement and the public. Democratic policing establishes the philosophical framework by upholding accountability, transparency, human rights, and impartiality, ensuring police serve as unbiased protectors of all citizens. Community-based policing operationalises these ideals through active community engagement, proactive crime prevention, and collaborative problem-solving, using strategies like neighbourhood watch programmes and public forums. Together, these approaches transform policing into a people-centred, service-oriented institution that fosters transparency, inclusivity and trust. By aligning philosophy with practice, they enhance public safety while promoting social harmony and meaningful community partnerships.
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Arbachin Abdullah is a researcher in criminology and police science at the University of Chittagong.
