Police reform is crucial to addressing deep-rooted systemic issues that undermine its integrity and effectiveness. The key challenges include political interference, lack of professionalism, and recurring rights violation. Reforming the police requires a focus on neutrality, accountability and ethical conduct. Recent incidents such as the police response with lethal weapons resulting in the death of protesters during the July-August protest and uprising have brought the issues to the forefront.
These events revealed how political influence can distort police action, erode public trust and weaken the rule of law. The security infrastructure, originally established during the British rule collapsed within 45 minutes, exposing the fragility of a governance system built on an unstable foundation that was washed away by the overwhelming public and student resentment.
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Legal framework
A LEGAL framework plays a pivotal role in shaping how police actions are executed, whether proactively or reactively. The Police Act 1861, enacted during the colonial era, granted the inspector general of police the authority, with government approval, to formulate regulations for the police. The Police Regulations, Bengal, 1943, originally implemented for the greater Bengal region, has still been in effect in Bangladesh. It remains largely unchanged, with the exception of Chapter 12, which pertains to the recruitment of constables, sub-inspectors and sergeants as well as the repeal of the dress code regulations in Chapter 19. Since 1943, the regulations have been reprinted several times.
According to a credible source, a reprint incorporating amendments made over the years has been pending with the relevant ministries. In contrast, metropolitan police forces established by specific acts or ordinances, with the exception of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, operate without formal regulations. On the other hand, the Rapid Action Battallion, the elite force originating from the Armed Police Battalion Ordinance, has no operational procedure in place to guide the operational areas. As a result, police officers are left to 鈥榮wim without having learnt the basics of aquatics.鈥�
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Judicial and legislative reforms
FOR police reforms to be successful, they must be supported by corresponding changes in the broader criminal justice system. Comprehensive criminal justice reform in Bangladesh must extend beyond police reform to encompass all partners within the system, including the judiciary, correctional facilities, prison, prosecution and legal aid services. An effective reform of the institutions is crucial to ensuring accountability, improving access to justice, enhancing transparency and upholding the rule of law. A holistic approach that addresses systemic issues expedites justice delivery, improves the overall legal framework promotes ethical practices and fosters collaboration among all stakeholders will be essential for creating a fair and just criminal justice system.
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Recruitment, training, posting
THE recruitment of police officers at the levels of constable, sub-inspector听 and sergeants has for long been marred by political interference, often driven by monetary incentives, with candidates frequently aligned with the political party in power. It is crucial to ensure that new recruits receive training not only in basic policing skills but also in specialised areas such as crime scene investigation, data-driven policing and cybersecurity. Without this specialised training, the police remain reactive rather than proactive in addressing emerging threats, particularly complex and borderless issues such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and organised crimes that pose greater challenges than traditional crimes against property and individuals.
Additionally, ongoing professional development programmes should be introduced to allow officers to continuously enhance their skills in line with modern law enforcement practices. Another pressing concern is the issue of transfers and postings to various units. Media reports have highlighted that officers often lobby influential figures within the police and, in some cases, local political leaders exert their influence to secure desirable transfers for personal benefits. This has led to the formation of syndicates, where certain officers manipulate the transfer and promotion process by building close connection with powerful individuals. In some instances, illegal financial transactions further undermine the integrity of the system, eroding discipline and meritocracy within the police department.
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Political influence and interference
ONE of the major challenges to effective policing is political interference. The law enforcement agencies are frequently accused of serving political interests rather than enforcing the law impartially. This politicisation erodes the integrity of the police as officers often face pressure to favour political figures instead of adhering to legal principles. Political influence has become so pervasive that when a political elite or member of parliament visits an area under a police station鈥檚 jurisdiction, the officer-in-charge and other officers often spend the entire day escorting them, even without any real security threat. The presence of police escorts or the privilege of being accompanied by security personnel symbolises power and authority, a status that politicians often prioritise and prefer.
This diverts officers from their primary duties, wasting time and resources that should be used to serve the public. The relationship between police officers and political figures becomes so entrenched that complaints against these officers are frequently ignored as they are seen as loyal agents of the political elite. Non-compliance with political directives can lead to serious consequences for officers, such as reprimands, transfer or being labelled as 鈥榥ot our people.鈥� A zero-tolerance policy within the framework of legislation against political interference is essential to protect officers from undue influence.
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Resource constraints and corruption
THE Bangladesh police encounter significant challenges because of limited resources, including inadequate funding, outdated equipment and a shortage of personnel. These problems are further compounded by widespread corruption, which severely hampers the force鈥欌�檚 effectiveness. Corruption takes various forms such as bribery, the abuse of power and participation in illegal activities. The practices not only undermine public trust but also foster a culture of impunity within the force. To combat the issues, it is essential to implement strong anti-corruption measures, including the creation of independent commissions to investigate allegations of bribery and misconduct. Moreover, sufficient fund must be allocated to equip the police with modern tools and provide adequate staffing to handle the growing demands of an expanding population and rising crime rates.
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Accountability and oversight
EFFECTIVE policing requires a system of accountability where officers are held responsible for their action. Unfortunately, Bangladesh lacks strong oversight mechanisms to ensure that police officers adhere to ethical standards. The creation of independent civilian oversight bodies, composed of members of civil society, legal experts and rights advocates, would provide the much-needed transparency in police operations. These bodies should have the authority to investigate cases of misconduct, the abuse of power and rights violations, ensuring that officers who engage in unlawful behaviour face appropriate consequences.
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Rights and professional ethics
RIGHTS abuses, including extrajudicial killing, custodial torture and harassment, have marred the reputation of the police. To restore public trust and uphold the rule of law, comprehensive rights training must be mandated and internalised for all officers. This training should emphasise the importance of due process, legal rights and the appropriate use of force. A revised code of ethics, focused on integrity, professionalism and non-partisanship and the use of force along with conflict management should be developed and ingrained in every aspect of police training and operations.
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Technological and operational modernisation
THE integration of advanced technology is essential for the modernisation of the police. Currently, many law enforcement activities are performed manually, limiting efficiency and transparency. The adoption of digital tools such as body cameras, electronic case management systems and online reporting mechanisms would significantly enhance the force鈥檚 operational capabilities. Additionally, investing in data-driven policing methods would enable the police to proactively address crime hotspots, analyse criminal patterns and deploy resources more effectively. Upgrading forensic and investigative capabilities with state-of-the-art technology and trained personnel would further improve the quality of evidence and reduce the reliance on forced confessions.
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Gender-sensitive and inclusive policing
THE establishment of gender-sensitive units within the police is critical to addressing gender-based violence and increasing female representation in law enforcement. These units should be strengthened to ensure that female victims of crime feel safe in reporting incidents. Moreover, recruitment efforts should focus on encouraging participation from all sections to create a more inclusive and representative police.
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Public relations and trust building
AFTER Sheikh Hasina had fled, public fury erupted, leading to violent attacks on police stations. Forty-six officers were lynched and police posts were abandoned, marking an unprecedented crisis in the history of the Bangladesh Police, with operational units left dysfunctional 鈥� a situation not seen even during the liberation war. Public trust in the police is essential for effective law enforcement. To rebuild this trust, the police must engage with the community through outreach programmes, town hall meetings and collaboration with local leaders. Establishing a streamlined public complaints mechanism, where citizens can report misconduct anonymously and without fear of retaliation, would further bridge the gap between the police and the public. Additionally, citizen-police collaboration platforms should be developed to encourage greater cooperation in addressing community safety issues. At this critical juncture, civil society must step forward to restore the morale of the beleaguered and demoralised police.
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Digitisation and e-policing
WITH the advancement of technology, the police have begun implementing e-policing to enhance efficiency. This includes digitising case management, reporting systems and using modern tools for criminal investigations and surveillance, including the potential use of robots and artificial intelligence. These technologies could even be employed to monitor the performance of police officers. For instance, officers, particularly officers-in-charge, often avoid answering or returning calls from unknown numbers to prevent unnecessary complications or to avoid any encumbrances. Additionally, there are frequent complaints that police officers show reluctance at filing general diaries or criminal cases.
Digital technology can address this issue by monitoring case management and ensuring transparency. Each police unit should maintain a dashboard, enabling officers to track and oversee station activities in real time. Although the police station is the primary services delivery unit, people are often reluctant at visiting police stations because of the involvement of middlemen and sentries, making it difficult to access duty officers, let alone the officers-in-charge. Access to ranking officers is even more difficult, typically limited to individuals with influence. Moreover, police stations often lack adequate financial resources, equipment and physical infrastructure, making the environment unwelcoming and uncomfortable. People in distress who seek help from the police often find that the inadequate facilities fail to provide them with psychological comfort and support.
A national policing policy is crucial for setting long-term objectives, including the integration of technology and crime prevention strategies, alongside broader reforms in prosecution, courts, and prisons to create a more comprehensive justice system. The interim government deserves recognition for establishing the police reforms commission, which is tasked with submitting a report in three months. However, a permanent body should also be established to regularly propose ongoing police reforms.
Finally, the police face challenges that weaken both their effectiveness and public trust. However, structural reforms in recruitment, training, accountability, technology and public engagement can transform the police into a professional, transparent and community service-oriented institution. The changes will boost efficiency, restore trust and strengthen the police鈥欌�檚 role in upholding the law.
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Md Motiar Rahman, a retied deputy inspector general, works at Anjuman Mufidul Islam.