The Bangladesh Police is set to award 62 officers with the Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) and President Police Medal (PPM) for acts of bravery and distinguished service. The medals will be presented by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the inaugural ceremony of Police Week 2025, to be held at Rajarbagh Police Lines in Dhaka on April 29.
The awards, traditionally given across four categories — BPM for Bravery, BPM for Service, PPM for Bravery, and PPM for Service — are based on nominations reviewed by a seven-member selection committee. This year’s list has already been finalised and sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, with a formal gazette notification expected shortly, sources said.
However, the process has been overshadowed by controversy after the list of likely awardees leaked before the official announcement, triggering unease within the force.
Sources confirmed that the list includes 21 senior officers and a notable number of contractual appointments, raising questions about the criteria used.
Further criticism has emerged over the composition of the selection committee itself, which includes recently retired Inspector General Md. Moinul Islam, RAB Director General A.K.M. Shahidur Rahman, and Acting Additional IGP Khandaker Rafiqul Islam — some of whom are reportedly among the nominees.
Several officers, speaking anonymously, alleged that lobbying and internal maneuvering had influenced the selections.
The controversy follows a decision by the interim government last year to revoke the medals of 103 officers, citing alleged involvement in controversial electoral activities. In 2024, some 400 officers had been awarded. This year, the figure has been significantly reduced, raising new questions about transparency and meritocracy in the selection process.
Police headquarters spokesperson Imamul Haque Sagar defended the awards process, telling the Times of Bangladesh, “The list of medal recipients is not confidential. Awardees were selected after comprehensive evaluation, and a dedicated committee handled the scrutiny. Preparations were made after individual interviews with the candidates.”
He added that a formal gazette will be issued as per tradition ahead of Police Week, and stressed that “the medals have been awarded strictly on the basis of work performance.”