Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has said that the upcoming national parliamentary election presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the Bangladesh Police to restore public trust and enhance its image.
“The upcoming election is indeed a challenge for us. However, the police have the ability and preparedness to deal with it,” the IGP said while presiding over a special crime review meeting at the Hall of Pride in the Police Headquarters on Monday.
He emphasized that the forthcoming polls offer a chance for the police to overcome the negative public perception that emerged from previous elections. “We must seize this opportunity to rebuild people’s confidence and strengthen the reputation of the police force,” Baharul Alam urged.
The meeting was attended by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali, RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman, Special Branch (SB) Chief Mohammad Golam Rasul, additional IGPs, heads of Dhaka-based police units, all police commissioners, and range DIGs. All district superintendents of police (SPs) joined virtually.
The IGP instructed his force to intensify operations to recover stolen or looted firearms, especially ahead of the polls, and emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering in this regard.
He also directed that greater publicity be given to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ announced rewards for information leading to the recovery of illegal weapons.
Baharul Alam further directed unit heads to ensure that ongoing election-related training programmes are conducted rigorously and efficiently.
He urged all district SPs to ensure the timely issuance of police clearance certificates without any form of harassment.
In addition, the IGP instructed field-level officers to file cases based on complaints submitted to the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, and to give special attention to investigating and resolving cases arising from the anti-discrimination movement.
He further stressed the importance of improving the quality of investigations across the force.
Police officials present at the meeting, as well as those who joined online, discussed various administrative and operational issues with the IGP.
Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Khondker Rafiqul Islam presented an overview of the country’s overall law and order and crime situation.
