POLICE in democratic societies are expected to be accountable both internally and externally. Their primary roles include crime control and maintaining law and order, but they are also required to treat citizens fairly and be held accountable within legal frameworks if they fail to do so. Various organisations and structures ensure that the police do not misuse their power and that political authorities do not interfere with or abuse the police for their own agendas.
The Bangladesh Police system primarily relies on a hierarchical chain of command for internal accountability, with senior officers responsible for overseeing their subordinates. While a Police Internal Oversight wing was established in 2007 to monitor police activities, its role remains largely invisible, further diminishing public confidence in internal accountability mechanisms. However, several key issues undermine the efficacy of internal accountability: (a) Citizens are reluctant to file complaints against police officers, primarily due to fear of reprisal. The possibility of facing harassment or further harm prevents many people from seeking redress through formal channels. This significantly diminishes public confidence in the internal complaint mechanisms. (b) Citizens often perceive approaching the police as futile due to a lack of transparency and willingness to investigate complaints against fellow officers. (c) When investigations into police misconduct are conducted, the findings are rarely shared with the complainants or the public, contributing to a sense of mistrust. Complaints are frequently handled within the police department itself, leading to suspicions of bias and cover-ups. Additionally, officers are often hesitant to investigate their colleagues, creating a conflict of interest that hinders impartial investigations.
On the other hand, there are several external authorities responsible for holding police officers accountable in Bangladesh:
The ministry of home affairs has the authority to investigate cases of police misconduct. However, the public is often unaware of any actions taken by the ministry. There is no dedicated body within the ministry to handle such investigations, leading to a lack of transparency and accountability.
The police are answerable to the courts, particularly in cases involving the investigation, apprehension and prosecution of criminals. Police officers may face civil or criminal proceedings in the courts, particularly when they are involved in the commission of criminal offenses. The executive magistrate may conduct inquiries in cases, such as incidents of police shootings and custodial deaths. However, these instances are few, and the judiciary鈥檚 involvement in holding police accountable remains few.
There is an absence of clear and transparent procedures for political control over the police. In theory, parliamentary oversight should serve as a robust accountability mechanism. However, in Bangladesh, political interference is endemic, jeopardising the enforcement ethos of the rule of law. Political leaders often manipulate police appointments, transfers and daily operations for personal or political benefit. This results in a system where the police are more accountable to political elites than to the public or legal institutions. Political influence has compromised the professionalism and impartiality of the police, turning it into an executive instrument for suppressing political opponents.
The National Human Rights Commission, established in 2009, is tasked with promoting human rights, including addressing police abuses. However, the commission lacks the power to conduct thorough investigations or enforce corrective actions. The Anti-Corruption Commission investigates allegations of corruption of some police officers. But the impact has been minimal and largely unnoticed by the public.
In democratic societies, the media plays a critical role in scrutinising police conduct. In Bangladesh, police actions are frequently exposed by the media, which brings allegations of misconduct to the public鈥檚 attention. However, police response to media reports is often superficial, with investigations being reluctantly initiated only when directed by higher authorities. While media scrutiny can prompt action, it lacks the institutional power to enforce accountability, leaving the police relatively insulated from public criticism.
The Police Reform Programme funded by the UNDP proposes the creation of a National Police Commission in the Draft Police Ordinance 2007, an independent oversight body tasked with investigating complaints against the police and preventing political interference. This body is seen as a critical step towards improving transparency and accountability. However, the ordinance has not been enacted, indicating a lack of political will to implement necessary reforms. Finally, the current state of police accountability in Bangladesh suffers from numerous structural flaws. The internal mechanisms lack transparency and public trust, while external oversight is weakened by political interference and institutional inadequacies. The proposed reforms, such as the establishment of an independent oversight body, offer a way forward. But progress has been stalled due to a lack of political will. Without significant structural changes, public confidence in the police force is unlikely to improve in the near future.
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Md Motiar Rahman, a retired deputy inspector general of police, works at Anjuman Mufidul Islam.
