The police force has placed a set of major welfare and institutional reform demands before the government during the ongoing Police Week, including an independent pay scale, overtime allowance, and financial benefits for duties performed on government holidays.
The demands were presented on Sunday at a welfare meeting following the inauguration of the four-day Police Week at Rajarbagh Police Lines in Dhaka, where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended as chief guest.
According to senior police officials, six demands were formally raised on the opening day, while five more are scheduled to be presented during a meeting between top police officials and the prime minister at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday.
Officials of the rank of DIG and additional DIG told TIMES of Bangladesh that the force is seeking an independent pay structure, overtime allowance, and special compensation for personnel working during the 52 annual government holidays, including Eid, Durga Puja, Christmas, and other public holidays.
Police officials also demanded interest-free motorcycle loans for officers from ASI to SI ranks due to shortages of government vehicles, along with a logical increase in investigation allowances.
Another major demand involves ensuring timely promotions for police members from constable to ASI ranks during their service periods.
The police leadership also raised concerns over deteriorating infrastructure and accommodation shortages across the force.
Officials said many police stations and establishments remain old and unrepaired, while the interim government has already cancelled the police construction budget for 2025.
A police welfare sub-committee led by Additional IGP Khandaker Rafiqul Islam and Additional DIG (Operations) Asaduzzaman prepared and presented the proposals during the welfare session.
Meanwhile, another committee headed by Additional IGP Rezaul Karim and Additional DIG Belal Uddin has been tasked with presenting five additional demands before the government.
Among those demands is the establishment of a nationwide cybercrime unit to strengthen cyber security and improve the police’s ability to tackle cyber offences.
The force is also seeking the creation of a dedicated police medical service and the expansion of specialist doctor appointments at police hospitals across divisional and district levels, including the Central Police Hospital.
Police officials further proposed establishing two Police Training Centres (PTCs) in Sylhet and Barishal divisions and a specialised training institute in Jungle Salimpur, Chattogram, to increase training capacity.
Other proposals include building a police sports complex to improve physical fitness and morale, appointing police liaison officers in Bangladesh embassies abroad, and posting police officers in institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, Narcotics Control Department, BRTA, Immigration and Passport Department, and BIWTA.
The force also proposed forming a specialised aviation unit trained for rapid deployment in remote and high-risk areas to combat extremism, drug and arms trafficking, human trafficking, and organised crime.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has already indicated that the government would consider the “reasonable demands” of the police, though he did not comment on specific proposals.
PM promises phased implementation
Tarique Rahman inaugurated Police Week by inspecting the annual police parade at Rajarbagh Police Lines on Sunday morning.
Addressing senior officers later, the prime minister said the government would try to fulfil the police demands in phases, citing the country’s fragile economic condition.
“We are facing a world war situation within weeks of taking charge of the government. Because of this reality, it is not possible to fulfil all expectations within a few weeks or months,” he said.
The prime minister also stressed improving law and order and rebuilding public trust in the police force.
Alleging that the previous Awami League government had used the police for partisan political interests, he said the force must now move forward “in a new way after passing that dark period.”
He urged police members to strengthen ties with citizens, saying public cooperation is essential for maintaining law and order.
“The police administration is not affiliated with any political party and will operate according to the law,” he said, adding that innocent people must not face harassment under any circumstances.
The premier also reiterated the government’s strict stance against drugs, terrorism, corruption, cybercrime, organised crime, juvenile crime, financial fraud, and online gambling.
He further said the government is committed to ensuring the rule of law while upholding human rights.
“Abductions, disappearances or extrajudicial killings are unacceptable in any way,” he added.
