Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday instructed the police administration to maintain neutrality and adhere strictly to legal protocols to transform police stations into dependable support centers for the public. Addressing the ‘Welfare Parade’ during Police Week-2026 at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh Police Lines, the Prime Minister emphasized that the police administration should not be affiliated with any political party and must operate strictly within the confines of the law to prevent the harassment of innocent individuals.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Rahman highlighted that crime control would become more manageable if the police could establish a trusting relationship with the public. He noted that the success of the police is intertwined with the success of the government, urging the police to serve as symbols of trust and security for the people. The Prime Minister stressed that the relationship between police and the public should be legal and humane, founded on trust and confidence.
Tarique Rahman outlined his expectation for police stations to serve as reliable sanctuaries for individuals in distress, emphasizing the need for these institutions to be more accessible and user-friendly. He underscored the importance of allowing people to lodge complaints directly, without intermediaries, and receive appropriate remedies. In the context of recent political developments, he reiterated the government’s democratic accountability to the people, insisting that their high expectations must be mirrored in police work.
The Prime Minister delineated the government’s priority of improving law and order and safeguarding citizens’ lives and property. Reflecting on past governance, he criticized the previous administration for using the police force for narrow political interests and called for a new way forward. He acknowledged the challenge of earning and maintaining public trust as a pivotal task for the police, underscoring the importance of ensuring that police actions reflect the people’s ownership of the state.
In his speech, Rahman urged the police to balance legal enforcement with humane conduct to positively influence public perception of government achievements. He advocated for initiatives like community policing and Open House Day to foster closer public engagement. He lauded the police for their neutral and professional conduct during the February 12 national election, describing the election as free, fair, and impartial in a ‘fascism-free Bangladesh,’ and praised police officials as government ambassadors in critical situations.
Addressing contemporary challenges, the Prime Minister highlighted the rise in cybercrime and online threats, emphasizing the need for the police to target drug suppliers and roots of narcotics aggressively. He reaffirmed the government’s firm stance against drugs, terrorism, and corruption, and the necessity for the police to adapt to technological advancements in crime prevention.
Tarique Rahman announced the government’s commitment to developing a technologically advanced police force capable of handling modern-day crimes through effective crime analysis, technology application, and scientific investigation methods. The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of protecting human rights, dismissing any form of extrajudicial activities and highlighting the police’s role in safeguarding citizens’ rights.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister discussed plans to enhance police facilities, including modern training, accommodation improvements, and better healthcare services. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the government due to a weak governance structure and a fragile economy upon assuming office but vowed to implement all commitments gradually.
Concluding his address, Tarique Rahman expressed the government’s vision of building a prosperous, democratic, and humane Bangladesh, emphasizing the indispensable role of a fair and professional police force in achieving this objective. The event concluded with the Prime Minister inaugurating Police Week-2026 and inspecting an annual police parade, with Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, and other senior officials in attendance.