The Bangladesh Police Service Association has strongly condemned what it termed “online smear campaigns” targeting officers of all ranks. It warned that these false social media stories are damaging officer morale just as the force is recovering and returning to duty to maintain law and order.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the association’s General Secretary and Dhaka District Superintendent of Police (SP) Shamima Parveen said these malicious campaigns are taking place as the force’s fragile morale is gradually recovering following July uprising.
She noted that officers have been returning to their duties to ensure public safety and maintain law and order with renewed enthusiasm.
According to the association, covert collaborators of “fugitive, isolated fascist forces” hiding both inside and outside the police force are supplying false, motivated, and misleading details to domestic and overseas online activists and self-proclaimed journalists.
These online figures are accused of blowing the information out of proportion, creating and broadcasting fabricated and misleading stories across various social media platforms without verifying their accuracy, context, or truth.
The association noted with concern that this motivated propaganda is escalating from slandering individual officers to targeting senior officials and the police chief himself.
This has severely damaged the work enthusiasm and capacity of the disciplined force.
The statement emphasised that police morale and professional capacity are crucial for maintaining public safety in the post-uprising period.
Weakening the force through rumours, misinformation, and slanderous campaigns will ultimately harm not only the police but also the state, the public, and the hope for a stable, democratic Bangladesh.
The association maintained that irresponsible and unethical activities carried out for personal, group, or political gains cannot be considered part of responsible journalism or freedom of expression.
It declared these actions are contrary to professional ethics, state interests, and the internal discipline of the force.
In the interest of state, public, and police force, the association has called for the identification of those involved in these activities.
It demanded strict and exemplary action against them in accordance with existing laws, rules, and organisational discipline, while urging those involved to stop their unlawful, malicious acts.
