Dhaka: Speakers at a roundtable meeting held here today emphasized the necessity of reforming the Bangladesh Police to transform it into a people-friendly and humane force.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting, titled “Bangladesh Police Reform: Perspective Citizen Thought,” was organized by the Bangladesh Retired Police Officers Welfare Association at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club.
The event was presided over by Dr. M. Akbar Ali, the President of the association and a retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police. Retired DIG Dr. Md. Matiar Rahman presented the keynote speech, while Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, editor and publisher of the Bengali daily Amar Desh, served as the chief discussant. Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ashraful Huda delivered the welcome address, with the session moderated by Vice President of the Welfare Association, Md. Abdur Rahman Khan.
Dr. Md. Matiar Rahman highlighted the existing challenges faced by the police force, which include outdated colonial laws and structures, shortages in human resources and technology, corruption, lack of accountability, work pressure, and mental health issues. He proposed that making the police force disciplined and service-oriented requires modern lawmaking, transparency, accountability, professional training, and minimizing political influence.
Rahman underscored the need for an independent police commission composed of former and current judges, government officials, human rights activists, journalists, and civil society representatives, including women, to ensure impartial oversight of the police force. He emphasized that a human rights-based and people-friendly police force is essential for a peaceful and developed Bangladesh.
Dr. Mahmudur Rahman stressed the importance of freeing the police from political influence and corruption, modernizing training, and establishing a separate committee for internal control. He noted the decline in police standards due to political interference and stressed the importance of restoring their morale for free and fair elections. He criticized the lack of a ‘chain of command’ during Sheikh Hasina’s regime and called for measures to restore police morale.
Contributions from other speakers included Professor Dr. Borhan Uddin Khan, who advocated for separate laws for police promotions and postings, and Ahmed Abdul Quader, who urged reforms to prevent the police from being used to protect ruling party interests. Zarif Rahman, a member of the Police Reform Commission, expressed concern over the exclusion of police reform from the consensus commission.
Former Justice Farid Ahmed, among others, reiterated the necessity of police reform, while Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan from Jahangirnagar University highlighted the willingness of many in the police force to embrace change. Additional speakers advocated for reforms in police recruitment and better salaries to ensure a motivated and respectable police force.
The roundtable concluded with a consensus among participants on the urgent need for comprehensive police reforms to align with the nation’s democratic and independent spirit.