Friday | 28 March 2025 | Reg No- 06
Bangla
   
Bangla | Friday | 28 March 2025 | Epaper
BREAKING: ● Ishraque Hossain made DSCC mayor      ● No holidays for police during Eid: Home secy      ● Prof Yunus meets China Executive Vice Premier      ● Asian countries must chart roadmap for shared future: Yunus       ● GK Shamim jailed for 5.5yrs in 2.97 billion graft case      ● Trump extends felicitation to Yunus, pledges to strengthen mutual relations      ● Last day of bank transaction      

Restoring public trust in the police:A call for effective reform

Published : Friday, 7 February, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 1131
Imdadul Haque Sohag
Public trust in law enforcement is the foundation of a stable and secure society. However, recent allegations of custodial torture, extrajudicial killings, bribery, and abuse of power have significantly eroded public confidence in Bangladesh's police force. This growing mistrust threatens national security and undermines social stability. Despite these challenges, the role of the police remains indispensable in crime prevention and maintaining law and order.

In recent years, Bangladesh has taken steps towards modernizing its police force, introducing community policing, digital crime investigation, and greater technological integration. However, these measures alone are insufficient to restore public confidence. A comprehensive, well-planned reform strategy focusing on professionalism, fair compensation, accountability, technological integration, and public engagement is crucial for rebuilding trust.

A professional, well-trained, and fairly compensated police force is essential for effective law enforcement. Police officers work under extreme pressure, often exceeding standard working hours without proper breaks, making their jobs both mentally and physically exhausting. However, their wages and benefits do not adequately reflect their relentless dedication, creating dissatisfaction and increasing the risk of corruption.

Fair Compensation and Improved Working Conditions: A structured salary revision ensuring police officers receive fair compensation aligned with their workload and risks. Overtime pay and allowances for extended duty hours, especially for officers working in critical zones. Adequate retirement benefits, life insurance, and health coverage for officers and their families.

Recognition and Incentives for Ethical Conduct: Implementing a "Best Performing Officer" award in every police station. National recognition during "Police Week" for officers displaying exceptional bravery and public service. Introducing performance-based incentives, following the example of the Singapore Police Force, where integrity and efficiency are rewarded.

Ensuring Mental Well-being of Officers: Regular stress management training and psychological counseling for officers. Guaranteed weekly and monthly leave to prevent burnout. Establishing a confidential mental health helpline for police personnel.

Why Salary and Benefit Reforms Are Critical?

The current pay structure for police officers does not adequately compensate for their hard work, extended hours, and high-risk duties. An underpaid police force is more vulnerable to corruption, making systemic reforms in salary, overtime pay, and benefits essential to maintain discipline and integrity within the force. Without addressing this fundamental issue, other reforms will remain ineffective in the long run. Enforcing Ethical Training and Zero-Tolerance Against Corruption

Mandatory Ethics and Human Rights Training: Annual ethics and professional responsibility training for all officers. Workshops on human rights and international policing standards as per the Constitution and global best practices. Strict enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and abuse of power.

Strengthening Professional Competence: Specialized training in cybercrime investigation, digital forensics, and crisis management. Enhancing linguistic and technological proficiency among officers.

Enhancing Accountability and Oversight Mechanisms: Establishing independent monitoring units in every police station to oversee complaints. Swift and transparent disciplinary actions against officers involved in misconduct. Implementing a merit-based promotion system, prioritizing integrity and professional performance over seniority. Community Policing for Stronger Public Engagement

Community policing is an effective global strategy that improves police-public relations and enhances crime prevention at the grassroots level.

Proposed Reforms: Expanding Community Policing Programs: Establishing "Community Police Forums" in every police station, including local leaders, educators, and youth representatives. Conducting monthly "Open House Day" sessions where citizens can directly address grievances with law enforcement. Launching awareness campaigns in schools and colleges to educate youth about the role of the police.

Encouraging Public Participation in Crime Prevention: Forming "Neighborhood Crime Prevention Committees" for active local surveillance. Showcasing positive police activities through social and mainstream media. Ensuring swift and transparent resolution of complaints against police personnel. With rising cybercrime and digital threats, the police force must embrace advanced technology to enhance efficiency and transparency.

Launching online and mobile-based platforms for submitting and tracking complaints. Installing CCTV cameras in police stations to ensure operational transparency.

Mandatory Use of Body Cameras and Dash Cameras: Equipping all on-duty officers with body cameras to increase transparency.
Installing dash cameras in traffic police vehicles to curb bribery and misconduct.

Strengthening Cybercrime Units: Expanding the existing Cyber Crime Investigation Unit with advanced digital forensic tools. Establishing cross-border collaborations for cyber intelligence to combat digital crimes effectively.

While police reforms are critical, public cooperation and awareness are equally necessary for improving law enforcement.

Encouraging transparency by reporting misconduct rather than tolerating it. Supporting community policing efforts and providing information to law enforcement. Using social media responsibly to promote positive police actions and prevent misinformation.

The decline in public trust in law enforcement is not an isolated issue-it has far-reaching consequences for national security, crime rates, and social harmony. A police force without public trust cannot function effectively.

To rebuild confidence in law enforcement, comprehensive reforms in professionalism, fair compensation, ethics, accountability, technology adoption, and community engagement are crucial.

A transparent, modern, and ethical police force is the foundation of a just society. The government, police administration, and civil society must collaborate to build a professional, corruption-free, and citizen-focused law enforcement system.

The time for action is now. With strategic reforms and collective commitment, Bangladesh can establish a world-class, people-oriented police force that earns the trust and respect of its citizens.

The writer is an Entrepreneur


LATEST NEWS
MOST READ
Also read
Unlocking Potential: How Investing in Aerospace Could Propel Bangladesh into the Global Economic Arena
Can we prevent erosion of cultural values?
Fire in Sundarbans: Natural or pre-planned?
Fitra: Obligatory for all muslims
War correspondents in conflict zones under grave threat 
Us, the United States and the future
Boosting country's agriculture through vegetable processing
Is the word 'Democracy' has been lost!
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Online: 41053014; Advertisement: 41053012.
E-mail: [email protected], news©dailyobserverbd.com, advertisement©dailyobserverbd.com, For Online Edition: mailobserverbd©gmail.com
🔝
close