The police force is struggling to restore public confidence despite promises of reform by the BNP government and the previous interim administration following the 2024 political upheaval.
Allegations of corruption, harassment and abuse of power continue to surface, raising questions about whether the institution has truly changed.
The image crisis intensified throughout the July mass uprising in 2024, during which casualties occurred and the role of some police members came under scrutiny. Several officers later faced criminal cases, including murder allegations. Some went into hiding while hundreds were placed as Officers on Special Duty (OSD), reflecting the scale of the internal disruption within the force.
In the aftermath, the interim government initiated several measures aimed at rebuilding public trust in the police. These included proposals for institutional reforms and efforts to ensure professional neutrality. Yet more than a year later, critics say the force has struggled to turn the page.
Many officers have reportedly adopted a cautious approach following the 13th parliamentary election, fearing transfers or disciplinary consequences.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has even issued directives warning officers not to leave their workplaces to lobby ministries for postings or transfers. In practice, many officers are said to be spending much of their time on routine work rather than proactive policing.
Despite the changing political context, complaints against police behaviour have not disappeared. Allegations of harassment, manipulation of cases, and arrest-related corruption remain common.
Leaders of two police associations insist that the force has acted professionally and maintained neutrality, particularly during the most recent parliamentary election. They say the police passed a crucial test by performing their duties without political bias.
However, allegations persist at the operational level. Critics claim that bribery in postings and influence over case management remain entrenched practices.
A police reform ordinance has been introduced, but it has also faced objections from within the force itself.
While the interim government has discussed forming an independent police commission, amending the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and reducing political influence over law enforcement, critics say the most visible change so far has been the colour of police uniforms rather than substantive institutional reform.
Taking charge, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has repeatedly said the government is committed to building a professional and trustworthy police force capable of shedding its past reputation.
Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir has also emphasised the need for cooperation from both the government and the public to build a professional, non-partisan institution. According to him, the police are working to regain public confidence through improved services.
Leaders of police organisations echo that message.
Bangladesh Police Service Association General Secretary and superintendent of police of Cumilla Md Anisuzzaman told TIMES of Bangladesh that the force had successfully demonstrated neutrality during the 13th parliamentary election and was now functioning without political interference.
President of Bangladesh Police Association inspector Kamrul Hasan said the force wants to work independently and professionally without political pressure. He also called for greater public cooperation, arguing that police effectiveness would improve if citizens shared information about criminals, extortionists and mob violence.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the crisis facing the police cannot be solved quickly.
He argued that decades of politicisation have deeply damaged professionalism within the force, particularly during periods of authoritarian governance. According to him, the problem is not confined to one political party but reflects a broader culture of partisan competition in the country’s politics.
In such a system, police institutions often become instruments of political power rather than neutral law enforcement agencies.
As a result, simply transferring authority from one political leadership to another will not solve the underlying problem, he said.
The key question, according to the anti-corruption expert, is whether political leaders and police leadership have truly learned from past mistakes. Without removing political influence from policing at every level, he warned, other reform initiatives are unlikely to succeed.
Otherwise, he said, cycles of retaliation, corruption, human rights abuses and politicised law enforcement will continue — leaving the public to bear the consequences.
Safar Raj Hossain, chairman of now defunct Police Reform Commission said, a report containing recommendations was submitted to the interim government on January 15, 2025.
The commission consisted of 11 members and proposed a series of structural reforms aimed at strengthening public trust and professional standards.
However, the commission head said there has been little follow-up from the government since the report was submitted.
“If the recommendations are implemented, the police will reach a much stronger position of public trust,” he said.
Bangladesh Police has a total manpower of around 213,000. Of these, roughly 202,000 are uniformed officers and about 11,000 serve in civilian roles. Female officers number more than 13,000.
In population terms, the country currently has roughly one police officer for every 800 people.
Despite official assurances, a series of recent incidents have continued to fuel criticism of the force.
Business owners in one district accused a police station officer of demanding money. In another city, a case was filed alleging that several police officers and others attempted to extort a large sum from a business operator.
In a separate incident in northern Bangladesh, a student reportedly suffered permanent hearing damage after being tortured by police and subjected to an extortion demand.
An internal investigation also found evidence that a police officer assaulted a complainant who had come to file a bribery-related case.
Elsewhere, a police officer has faced accusations of corruption, abuse of authority and illegal financial demands.
Drivers of buses, trucks and smaller vehicles in another region have complained of routine roadside extortion, alleging that police stop vehicles under the pretext of checking documents.
In another case, a victim filed a lawsuit alleging torture while in police custody.
Anti-corruption investigators have also filed a case against several police personnel over allegations that goods worth several crore taka were misappropriated from a police ration store using fraudulent documentation.
There have also been complaints that police refused to register cases, harassed citizens seeking justice, or assaulted suspects’ relatives when the intended target could not be found.
Other allegations include attempts to frame individuals in narcotics cases, extortion during court proceedings, seizure and misappropriation of goods, and irregularities in arrest procedures.
In one case, family members alleged that an elderly man died after being kicked by a police officer during an arrest attempt.
Another incident involved allegations that police assaulted journalists and university students during an anti-narcotics drive in a public park.
When contacted, HM Shahadat Hossain, assistant inspector general (Media) at Police Headquarters, told TIMES that in the changed context the police have gradually been reorganising and returning to normal operations.
At the field level, he said that members are carrying out their duties with professionalism to maintain law and order, conduct investigations and ensure public services.
However, Shahadat said, “Any allegation of irregularities or corruption against a member is being taken seriously and examined thoroughly. If the allegations are proven, departmental and legal actions are taken against those involved. The police remain firm in ensuring discipline, accountability and transparency within the force.”
