Dhaka: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam today announced that the country’s primary law enforcement agency is awaiting the establishment of an independent commission for its regulation. ‘Police is still waiting for the ‘Separate Police Commission’ which was our main suggestion. We hope the commission will be formed,’ he stated at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Alam emphasized the police’s desire to operate independently, free from external pressures, and had communicated this wish to the interim government. ‘We hope that it (our demand) will be addressed,’ he added. The IGP highlighted that police reform became a prominent topic after August 5, 2024, and has been discussed at different levels of the state mechanism, particularly regarding the indiscriminate use of police force.
The IGP noted that although the government had previously formed a police reform commission, the issue seems to have been sidelined while other reform topics remain at the forefront. When asked about the current status of the proposed police reforms and the force’s suggestions, he expressed optimism following the formation of the Police Reform Commission. ‘We hoped they will give some important suggestions for the police. We have also given some suggestions on behalf of the police,’ he remarked.
In addition to proposing the creation of a commission, the police have also sought a degree of autonomy in their operations to be free from unwanted influence. Present at the event were Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam, deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, assistant inspector general (AIG) of media at Police Headquarters Enamul Haque Sagor, and public relations officer of the police AKM Kamrul Ahsan.