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THE police play a pivotal role in any society, entrusted with safeguarding public safety, maintaining order, and upholding justice. In Bangladesh, public expectations reflect a deep yearning for fairness, security, and trust, yet these hopes are often overshadowed by systemic challenges such as political influence, corruption, inefficiency, and human rights violations. The vision for an ideal police force in Bangladesh centres on creating a safer, democratic society grounded in justice and accountability. This requires a police service that exemplifies professionalism, integrity, inclusivity, and compassion, serving not merely as enforcers of the law but as true custodians of justice. Achieving this vision demands transformative reforms, including dismantling political interference, fostering accountability, and addressing systemic inefficiencies. It is imperative to explore the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people and the fundamental changes needed to establish a police force that inspires trust and upholds the principles of justice.

People expect the police to be vigilant protectors of their safety and security, serving as a shield against crime and disorder in both urban and rural areas. In cities, they combat theft, robbery, and organised crime, while in rural areas, they address land disputes, violence, and extremism. Emerging threats such as cybercrime, human trafficking, and terrorism require specialised skills, advanced tools, and a proactive approach. Strategies like patrolling, surveillance, intelligence-driven operations, public awareness campaigns, and collaborations with social organisations help tackle crime at its roots while reinforcing public trust. However, resource constraints and inadequate training often limit their effectiveness, particularly in Bangladesh. Investing in specialised training in cybersecurity, digital forensics, advanced technologies, ethical conduct, and de-escalation techniques is crucial for building a professional, adaptive police force. By upholding justice, fairness, and integrity, law enforcement can create an environment where people feel safe — whether carrying hard-earned wages home or walking freely in city streets and rural meadows of Bangladesh. A dedicated police force that prioritises crime prevention and human dignity strengthens the foundation of a peaceful and secure society.

Effective crime management requires a strategic balance of proactive and reactive policing, combining law enforcement, crime prevention, and victim support. Patrolling, surveillance, intelligence gathering, and swift emergency response play a key role in maintaining law and order. By analysing crime patterns, police can allocate resources efficiently to high-risk areas while addressing underlying causes of criminal behaviour. Community engagement fosters trust and encourages information-sharing, which enhances crime prevention efforts. Advances in technology, such as digital forensics, surveillance systems, and data analytics, have further strengthened crime detection and investigation. Intelligence-led policing, a proactive, data-driven approach, improves operational efficiency by identifying and disrupting criminal activities before they occur, particularly in cases of organised crime and terrorism. However, its success depends on robust information-sharing, inter-agency collaboration, and ethical data management to balance security with civil liberties. Beyond enforcement, comprehensive crime management involves addressing societal issues, supporting victims, and rehabilitating offenders. By integrating intelligence-driven strategies with professionalism, fairness, and empathy, the police contribute to safer and more resilient communities.

The people expect the police to play a fundamental role in upholding the rule of law, serving as the primary agency responsible for maintaining public order, protecting life and property, and ensuring the enforcement of laws. By investigating crimes, apprehending offenders, and preventing unlawful activities, the police act as a critical link between the legal framework and society. Their actions are governed by legal principles and ethical standards, ensuring that their power is exercised fairly, without bias or abuse. A well-functioning police force strengthens public trust in the justice system, promotes stability, and fosters a sense of security, all of which are essential for a society governed by the rule of law. Equally important is their accountability to the law, which ensures that their authority is not misused and that citizens’ rights are respected.

The inefficiency of the police in addressing crime undermines public safety and erodes trust in law enforcement institutions. This inefficiency can stem from various factors, such as inadequate training, insufficient resources, corruption, political intervention, and a lack of coordination within the criminal justice system. Delayed responses to emergencies, failure to conduct thorough investigations, and low conviction rates often leave victims without justice and embolden criminals. Bureaucratic hurdles and mismanagement can further exacerbate the problem, leading to a perception of ineffectiveness. Addressing these inefficiencies requires reforms that include better training, increased funding, implementation of modern technologies, and robust accountability measures to ensure police forces are equipped and motivated to fulfil their duties effectively.

Moreover, citizens expect that the prevention and investigation of crimes and police functions should closely align with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Bangladesh, particularly the protection of life, property, and individual freedoms. This alignment positions the police not merely as enforcers of the law but as guardians and protectors of citizens’ constitutional rights. Such a paradigm shift would go beyond fulfilling the basic mandate of maintaining law and order. It would foster a deeper sense of trust and confidence among the public, improve the police’s overall image, and encourage a stronger culture of respect for the rule of law within the police force itself. By adopting this approach, the police could redefine their role as a foundation of justice and equity, further strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the society it serves.

When an offence is committed, it falls within the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system. The formal initiation of legal proceedings against an alleged offender begins with registering a criminal case, typically through a First Information Report lodged by the victim, a witness, or any concerned party at the local police station. As mandated by Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (CrPC), the police are required to record any information regarding a cognisable offence, which includes serious crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, and terrorism — offences where the police have the authority to investigate and make arrests without prior court approval. Once an FIR is registered, the officer-in-charge of the police station assigns the case to an investigating officer, usually a sub-inspector, who is responsible for conducting the investigation in accordance with legal procedures. The IO gathers evidence, records witness statements, and examines the crime scene while ensuring compliance with the provisions of the CrPC, 1898, and Penal Code, 1860. Depending on the complexity of the case, the investigation may also involve forensic analysis, surveillance, and coordination with other law enforcement agencies. Ultimately, the IO compiles the findings into a police report, which is then submitted to the relevant court for further legal proceedings.

For non-cognisable offences, which include minor crimes like public nuisance, the police require prior approval from a magistrate before initiating an investigation. The distinction between cognisable and non-cognisable offences is crucial, as it determines the procedural course of action.

One of the most significant issues in Bangladesh’s criminal justice system is the police’s discretionary power in registering cases. Despite legal provisions mandating the filing of FIRs for cognisable offences, officers often refuse to do so due to external influences, corruption, or resource constraints. Victims, especially from disadvantaged communities, frequently face difficulties in lodging complaints, as police officers at stations often demand inducements — either monetary or through influential connections — to register an FIR, initiate investigations, or even record a General Diary entry. As a result, those without financial means or social influence struggle to access police services, even in serious cases.

The public expects the police to uphold fairness, transparency, and impartiality, particularly in case registration, by ensuring that every reported offence — whether cognisable or non-cognisable — is recorded under the appropriate legal provision. This responsibility is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the justice system and preserving public trust in law enforcement. Any failure to register cases properly can compromise legal provisions and weaken confidence in the rule of law. Emphasising this obligation, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, through various judicial pronouncements, has reinforced the mandatory nature of FIR registration when a cognisable offence is reported. The landmark case Suo Moto Rule No. 07 of 2020 underscored that law enforcement agencies must record complaints without unnecessary delay or discretion, ensuring that justice is not hindered at the very first stage of the legal process.

Despite the legal obligation for police to record complaints upon receiving information, allegations persist that investigating officers often delay the process by conducting preliminary enquiries and site visits before officially registering a crime. This delay is particularly prevalent in major cases such as murder and dacoity. Such initial postponements create opportunities for distortion of facts, compromising the timely collection of evidence and the immediate apprehension of suspects. With extended time at their disposal, complainants — sometimes with or without police collusion — may falsely implicate innocent individuals or omit the actual perpetrators. This manipulation enables law enforcement officers to fabricate case narratives and exploit innocent individuals by threatening prosecution unless they comply with their demands.

Integrity in case registration is critical, requiring meticulous attention to accuracy and fairness. The police must exercise extreme care to avoid implicating innocent individuals, as wrongful accusations shall have devastating consequences for those involved. In many cases, the First Information Report includes specific names, while others are listed as ‘unknown.’ While this practice can be necessary in some instances, it also opens the door to potential misuse. Such flexibility may allow officers to manipulate investigations, for example, by arbitrarily adding or excluding names as suspects or exercising undue discretion to make mass arrests. These actions can lead to the perception or reality of bias, favouritism, or abuse of power.

The people expect the police to handle all cases impartially, regardless of the status or influence of the individuals involved. They must not refuse to register an offense due to the involvement of powerful or politically connected persons, nor should they suppress cases to artificially lower crime statistics, as this would compromise the integrity of law enforcement. Ensuring that justice is applied equally to all citizens, irrespective of social, political, or economic standing, is fundamental to maintaining public trust. However, political interference remains a persistent challenge in Bangladesh, with powerful individuals and groups often pressuring the police to suppress complaints against their allies or fabricate cases against opponents. This not only undermines the impartiality of the justice system but also weakens confidence in law enforcement agencies.

While the refusal to register FIRs is a significant concern, the misuse of the criminal justice system through false or fabricated cases is another critical issue. The police must exercise due caution to ensure that registered cases are genuine and not based on false allegations, as fictitious cases — often referred to in Bangladesh as gaybi mamla (invisible or baseless cases) — are frequently used to harass political opponents, marginalised communities, rival groups, or dissenting individuals, fostering fear and mistrust. Such cases clog the justice system, divert resources from genuine complaints, and erode public confidence in law enforcement, making it harder for real victims to seek justice. Many individuals misuse legal processes to settle personal disputes, harass opponents, or seek revenge, further straining the judiciary. To counter this, the police must uphold ethical standards, remain vigilant in distinguishing between legitimate grievances and malicious cases, and ensure fairness and impartiality in their operations. Additionally, complainants who lodge false cases with malicious intent should be prosecuted under Section 211 of the Penal Code. Accurate and honest case registration is the foundation of a fair justice system, and adherence to legal protocols is essential to maintaining its integrity. Any manipulation of case outcomes, whether by downgrading crimes to lesser offences or exaggerating charges for personal or political motives, undermines public trust. Therefore, the police must remain committed to fairness and objectivity, reinforcing their role as impartial enforcers of the law and guardians of justice.

Not all crimes committed in Bangladesh come to the attention of the police, as various factors deter individuals from reporting incidents. Fear of retaliation, lack of trust in law enforcement, social stigma, and the lengthy legal process often discourage victims and witnesses from coming forward. Many people, particularly those from marginalised communities, may feel powerless or believe that seeking justice will bring more hardship than resolution. Additionally, cultural and familial pressures sometimes compel victims to remain silent, especially in cases of domestic violence, sexual offences, or financial fraud. Crimes involving influential individuals or organised groups may also go unreported due to fear of repercussions. Furthermore, the complexity and perceived inefficiency of the criminal justice system contribute to the general reluctance to engage with law enforcement, as many view the process as cumbersome, time-consuming, and potentially more distressing than the crime itself. As a result, the true extent of criminal activities remains obscured, leading to an under-representation of crime in official statistics and hindering efforts to implement effective law enforcement strategies. Therefore, police officers must take a proactive approach in registering cases promptly and without any obstacles to uphold the rule of law.

In today’s digital era, there is a growing public demand for an efficient and transparent online system for criminal case registration to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, reduce delays, and minimise human discretion. Such a system would allow victims to file FIRs from home without intimidation or corruption while ensuring real-time documentation to prevent intentional delays by law enforcement. Following a directive from the chief advisor of the interim government, efforts are underway to implement this digital platform, which would enable swift intervention, automated case tracking, and integration with forensic databases. By enhancing transparency and accountability, an online system could revolutionise Bangladesh’s criminal justice process, provided it is user-friendly, secure, and legally validated to protect data and ensure accessibility for all. However, not everyone in Bangladesh is proficient in digital communication. Therefore, a user-friendly system must be implemented, ensuring direct access without the need for intermediaries.

Registering a criminal case in Bangladesh is a critical step in ensuring justice, yet it remains fraught with challenges such as police discretion, political influence, corruption, delays, and misuse of the system. While legal provisions exist to facilitate FIR registration, their effectiveness is often undermined by institutional weaknesses. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach, including stronger legal safeguards, enhanced police accountability, judicial reforms, and public awareness initiatives. By ensuring a more transparent, efficient, and accessible system for case registration, Bangladesh can take significant strides toward a fairer and more robust criminal justice system.

To be continued

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Dr Md Motiar Rahman is a retired deputy inspector general of police.