Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has said that the culture of political influence in the administration continues even after the 2024 July Uprising.
“Even now, from recruitment and promotion to determining who will be sacrificed and who won’t, case trading, arrest and bail trading – everything continues. There is absolutely no doubt about that, and it will continue,” said Iftekharuzzaman.
He made these comments at a roundtable titled “Bangladesh Police Reform: Challenges and Action Points” on Saturday at the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar. The event was jointly organised by Prothom Alo and the Retired Police Officers Welfare Association.
Iftekharuzzaman said that new police uniforms are expected to be introduced in November. However, he believes improving housing and working conditions for police officers is more urgent than new uniforms. Pointing out an example of a police barracks in Mirpur, he said there is only one bathroom for 200 personnel, and 20 officers sleep in a 60-square-foot room.
He also said that political influence alone is not responsible for this situation.
“The question is, police’s new uniforms are important, but is it more important than the condition of their barracks?”
However, he said that the ongoing police reform initiative will not succeed unless reforms are ensured in police intelligence agencies.
