The government is planning to establish a full-fledged and institutional cyber security unit in police to enhance its capacity to combat cybercrime, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday.
The minister said the unit would be formed under the leadership of an additional IGP by utilising the expertise of police personnel with engineering, IT, and computer science backgrounds.
He made these remarks at the 21st meeting of the Governing Board of Bangladesh Police Staff College (PSC) at its boardroom in Mirpur, Dhaka.
Salahuddin explained that digital crime investigations and forensic analysis are currently being conducted on an ad hoc basis through Police Headquarters, the DMP Cyber Unit, and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
“But we feel the need for a permanent and coordinated structure,” he said, adding that initiatives have been taken to provide advanced training alongside establishing the unit to strengthen the Bangladesh Police’s ability to tackle cybercrime.
Salahuddin noted that the force currently has many members with engineering, IT, and computer science backgrounds whose skills will be utilised.
Emphasising the importance of training to boost capabilities and morale, he stressed that facilities for international-standard training should be expanded alongside internal training to make master-trainer-level officers more effective.
“If necessary, trainers will be brought from abroad, or modern facilities will be developed to enhance the professional skills of officers,” Salahuddin said, adding that this would keep the police force fully prepared to combat all forms of crime, including crimes in cyberspace.
During the meeting, the minutes of the 20th Governing Board meeting were presented and approved subject to necessary amendments, and progress in implementing decisions from the previous meeting was reviewed.
Detailed discussions were held on key agenda items, including an MRT proposal for the use of PSC land, allocation of funds for overseas components of mandatory training courses, the establishment of a full-fledged and independent “Research and Innovation Centre” under Bangladesh Police Staff College, government approval of PSC regulations, a proposal to make completion of mandatory training a priority condition for promotion and posting, and initiatives to organise training in Bangladesh and send trainees abroad as a member institution of INTERPA (International Association of Police Academies).
The meeting also covered PSC infrastructure development, the introduction of master’s in forensic science and master’s in financial Crime and Governance courses, the celebration of the silver jubilee of Police Staff College, and “Training for the SAARC Countries”.
Home Ministry Senior Secretary and Vice Chairman of the Governing Board Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Public Administration Ministry Senior Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, BPATC Rector Sayeed Mahbub Khan, and Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor ABM Obaidul Islam, among others, attended the programme.
Later, the home minister visited the Police Staff College campus.
