Md Magem Ali Molin, Columnist,Journslist & Assistant Professor
Deterioration of the rule of law cannot be prevented by mere changes and reshuffles. If necessary, the law should be changed. Independent Police Commission should be formed to increase the morale of Bangladesh Police Force and restore people’s confidence. They should be given the opportunity to work in an operationally autonomous manner. As a teacher of sociology, I have had the opportunity to study Criminology. In the past few months, the crime rate in the country has increased several times due to the inactivity of the police. The main reason for this is that every ruling Government in Bangladesh is using the police as their greedy forces. Hence the police could never be the friend of the people. If the police force could work independently like the army, navy and air force, then maybe their work would be easier. If the police force was separated from the Ministry of Defense and a policy was made and allowed to work independently, then no ruling Government could have used them for their own interests. From the IGP,DIG of the police to the SP, all the high-ranking officials are appointed on political considerations, and they achieve their own interests through the lower ranks.
Recently Rajshahi Range DIG Alamgir Rahman was heard saying to the public on social media, “We can’t do what you say because we have a special outfit on.” We have to follow the law. That doesn’t mean we can’t talk. It is no one’s fault to have so many forces. Only the police are to blame. We have been demanding the formation of an independent police commission for a long time. But who listens to us ? He also said, do you follow the rules of society? If you obey the law properly, our suffering will be reduced to a great extent. Because our hands and feet are tied, we cannot do everything we want. Political travel is one of them.
Speaking to several OC, SI, police men on the condition of anonymity, they said, because of our superior officers, we are forced to do some illegal work. Because of which our distance or enmity with the people is created. Because of which people think police are bad. In fact, a difference is created between the police and the people while keeping some illegal demands of our superiors. Many times, many low-ranking policemen have to die prematurely. Deprived of fair rights. If they can’t work as they want, they have to be punished, sometimes the sword comes down on the job. So we have decided till our independent police commission is formed. Until then, we have to go with the flow. We are watching no alternative of it.
In the anti-discrimination movement including all the movements in the country, many police stations and buildings were burnt down due to the public’s anger and many ordinary policemen lost their lives. The government should emphasize on increasing the morale of the police to turn around from such a situation.
Legal experts say, there will be no benefit by changing clothes and reshuffling. Existing laws and attitude of government should be changed to make police people friendly. An independent police commission should be formed to free the influence of the government. Besides, the authorities should emphasize on the opportunity for the police to work in an operationally autonomous (autonomous) manner. This requires political will. Those concerned say that the laws by which the police are governed are saying that the police is not the people’s but the government’s force. So, if you want a people-friendly police, you must first change the police law. The law should be amended to provide for a non-political and impartial system of appointment, posting, reward and punishment of senior officers including the police chief.
After the independence of the country, the biggest change in the uniform of the Bangladesh Police came in 2004. In 2009, there was some change in police uniform. However, there was no fundamental change in the work of the police. Recently, the police headquarters has formed a committee of ten members to change the uniform and logo of the police. According to the police logistics department, the committee is analyzing the police uniforms of 10-15 countries of the developed world.
In this regard, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammad Nurul Huda said that there is no direct relationship between the performance of the police and the clothes. Politicians have to decide they will allow the police to function independently. They (police) will be accountable to the court. The police must be freed from undue control by political executives. There must be political will for this. The government has to decide, the police will remain operationally autonomous. Will not interfere with investigation, transfers, postings – this must be ensured.
It is reported that Bangladesh Police spontaneously presented a proposal entitled ‘Draft Police Ordinance, 2007’ to modernize and reform Bangladesh Police with the help of UNDP during the previous caretaker government. It did not see the light of day. Besides, no political government in the past was serious about forming an independent police commission.
Barrister Joyotirmoy Barua, a Supreme Court lawyer, said that the basic law of the police should be changed to prevent the use of the police as a political tool. The matter of their control should not be entrusted to the hands of one person of the Ministry of Home Affairs, but an independent commission should be made. This proposal has been in place since 2007.
Officials at various levels of the police are also frankly admitting that the government has been using the police as a tool for years. The police is being used as one of the tools to suppress the opposition political leaders and activists. The police, which run on public tax money, are being made to face the public. In this case, some very enthusiastic members of the police are working as a protector of the rulers in the hope of titles and privileges.
Why the Bangladesh Police Force Can’t Work Free from Political Influence: Political use of the police is a long-standing problem in Bangladesh. It has been discussed and criticized at various times. But there was no solution. Why ruling government use the police: Using the police force to suppress opposition is seen as a way to maintain their power. Many times the police are used to achieve partisan interests. Especially during the election period. The police are forced to act according to government directives, which are often against the interests of the people. The police can be prone to corruption, which allows ruling groups to use them for their own interests.
Current Status of Police: Police are often in a dilemma. On one hand they have to maintain law and order, on the other hand they have to face political pressure. Such use of the police causes people to lose faith in the police. Policemen also feel insecure at times. Reforms should be brought under policy: Reforms should be made to keep the police free from politics. Making the police responsible and accountable. Transparency should be brought in police work. People should be given opportunity to participate in police work.
The reason for the stagnation of the police force is the lack of professionalism in the police force due to resorting to corruption in recruitment, transfer and promotion. The police are being used from a political point of view, resulting in a loss of professionalism. The trend of human rights violations has increased as the police did not give exemplary punishment to those who commit crimes. Complaints against the police are investigated by the police itself, which does not result in a proper investigation. Lack of professionalism, lack of training and improper use of modern technology among police personnel.
Md Magem Ali Molin, Columnist,Journslist Daily Obserber & Assistant Professor Rosey Mozammel Women’s College.
