THE criminal justice system is a complex framework composed of multiple interconnected components, including law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and correctional institutions. Among these, the police serve as the foundation of the system, acting as the first point of contact between citizens and the justice process. In Bangladesh, the police hold a central role, balancing the responsibilities of crime prevention, law enforcement, public service, and conflict resolution. Their duties extend beyond mere crime control; they are responsible for maintaining public order, ensuring the safety of individuals and communities, and upholding fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.
The role of the police in this system sets the course for subsequent judicial proceedings. Effective policing 鈥� through proper investigation, evidence collection, and fair enforcement of laws 鈥� ensures that cases are built on strong legal foundations, facilitating justice. Any failure in this initial phase, whether due to inefficiency, corruption, or bias, can undermine the entire judicial process, leading to wrongful convictions or impunity for offenders. Furthermore, the police are often the first responders in crises, playing a critical role in de-escalating conflicts, assisting victims, and fostering public trust. Their work directly impacts the efficiency of the courts and correctional institutions, making them indispensable in maintaining the rule of law and ensuring justice is served equitably.
The criminal justice system is a vital institution for maintaining social order and upholding the rule of law. The Bangladesh police, as its frontline component, bears immense responsibility for ensuring safety and justice. While challenges persist, ongoing reforms and modernisation efforts provide hope for a more effective and accountable police force. By addressing systemic issues and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders, the criminal justice system in Bangladesh can evolve into a more robust and equitable framework, ensuring justice for all.
In collaboration with other agencies of the criminal justice system, the future of policing will be shaped by advancements in technology, evolving societal expectations, and the need for more community-orientated approaches. Artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and real-time surveillance will enhance crime prevention and investigative capabilities, while body-worn cameras and data transparency will promote accountability. With increasing concerns about human rights and social justice, police forces worldwide will need to adopt strategies that emphasise de-escalation, conflict resolution, and public trust. Additionally, cross-border threats such as cybercrime, terrorism, and transnational organised crime will require stronger international collaboration. The integration of ethical AI, improved training programmes, and greater community engagement will be crucial in ensuring that policing remains effective, fair, and adaptable to future challenges.
In this context, police officers in the modern world must embody a diverse range of qualities to effectively maintain law and order while upholding justice and human rights. Integrity and professionalism are fundamental, ensuring that officers act ethically and remain accountable to the public. Strong communication and conflict-resolution skills are crucial, enabling them to de-escalate tense situations and foster trust within communities. Adaptability is essential in addressing evolving challenges such as cybercrime, terrorism, and transnational criminal networks. Additionally, modern policing demands cultural awareness and emotional intelligence to engage with diverse populations sensitively. Technological proficiency is also vital, as law enforcement increasingly relies on digital tools for investigations and intelligence gathering. Above all, a commitment to service, fairness, and continuous learning defines an effective police officer in today鈥檚 complex and dynamic world.
The new generation of police, sons of this soil, is believed to be highly qualified, tech-savvy, and meritorious. They are expected to be a living encyclopaedia with analytical insight into every national and international event that may impact the country鈥檚 public security. The strong commitment to upholding the rule of law in a country like ours determines socio-economic and political development. Predictive and intelligence-led policing may help to understand the genesis of issues affecting public security. The police have been recognised as the key players in the criminal justice system. The role of the police can be likened to that of a goalkeeper in soccer. If the rest of the team underperforms, the goalkeeper faces constant pressure, making it unrealistic to expect flawless performance every time. Similarly, the police cannot bear the full burden of crime prevention without the active support of other institutions. Effective governance requires a coordinated effort among various entities, including government organisations, lawmakers, the judiciary, and the economic system. When these institutions fulfil their responsibilities, societal issues are minimised, and the strain on the police is significantly reduced. A shared commitment to the collective good is essential for maintaining order and reducing crime, distributing the responsibility across all sectors rather than leaving it solely to the police. Police should understand the complex interplay of various factors and may be able to point out other people鈥檚 failures in the performance of their responsibilities. In Bangladesh, for instance, land disputes have been regarded as the major cause of violent crimes. Police have little to do with the land management.
Policing in Bangladesh presents significant challenges, requiring officers to work in both high-stress urban environments and remote rural areas, where they face a wide range of difficult situations. Resilience is essential in these demanding conditions, as officers must manage long working hours, limited resources, and exposure to traumatic incidents. In addition to mental and physical resilience, adaptability is also crucial. Officers must effectively navigate the country鈥檚 rapidly changing socio-political landscape and respond to evolving criminal tactics. In this context, mental health and conflict resolution training play a vital role. In democratic societies, there is a growing emphasis on equipping officers with the skills to handle tense situations calmly. By prioritising de-escalation techniques and appropriate use of force, officers can resolve volatile encounters without resorting to violence, ensuring a more effective and humane approach to policing. An officer鈥檚 ability to connect personally, de-escalate tense situations, and offer reassurance demonstrates their commitment to public service. Empathy fosters a sense of security and respect, transcending socio-economic or political backgrounds.
The relationship among all members of the police force鈥攕enior, junior, subordinate, and superior ranks鈥攊s fundamentally built on mutual respect, discipline, and a shared commitment to upholding law and order. A superior officer鈥檚 role involves providing guidance, leadership, and support while maintaining professionalism and fairness in their interactions with subordinates. Conversely, subordinates are expected to demonstrate loyalty, respect, and a willingness to execute orders diligently and ethically. Juniors look up to seniors for mentorship and professional growth, while seniors foster a supportive environment that encourages learning and teamwork. This hierarchical yet collaborative relationship ensures operational efficiency, reinforces accountability, and nurtures camaraderie within the force, ultimately contributing to the effectiveness and integrity of law enforcement.
The people desire a police force that understands and aligns with the aspirations of the common masses, recognising their needs, grievances, and expectations. When law enforcement fails to acknowledge these aspirations or actively works against them, it creates a crisis of enforcement, leading to public dissatisfaction, resistance, and, in extreme cases, social unrest. The crisis of enforcement in society emerges when the expectations of the majority clash with the inefficacy, bias, or selective application of the law by institutions responsible for maintaining order. If the police or other enforcement agencies are perceived as tools of political or elite interests rather than impartial upholders of justice, they lose legitimacy in the eyes of the people. This disconnect fosters distrust, non-compliance, and even acts of defiance against the law, making effective governance increasingly difficult. Resolving this crisis requires a responsive, transparent, and community-orientated policing approach that bridges the gap between legal authority and public expectations, ensuring that enforcement mechanisms are both just and widely accepted.
Police officers are entrusted with the solemn duty of upholding law and order while embodying the highest ideals of patriotism and national service. As guardians of public security, they must possess the foresight and discernment to align their actions with the broader national interest, ensuring that their decisions and enforcement strategies contribute to the country鈥檚 stability, progress, and unity. Their allegiance to the nation must remain unwavering, even in the face of opposition from certain groups or individuals whose interests may conflict with the greater good. This responsibility demands not only professional integrity but also a deep commitment to preserving national sovereignty, fostering social harmony, and safeguarding the aspirations of the people. In executing their duties, they must strike a balance between enforcing the law impartially and upholding the collective will of the nation, never allowing personal biases or external pressures to compromise the principles of justice and the overall welfare of the state.
The Bangladesh Police, acting as an executive arm of the government, brutally suppressed dissent using lethal force and extrajudicial means. The student-led anti-quota movement, fuelled by long-standing grievances, escalated into demands for the government鈥檚 removal. In response, police crackdowns led to the deaths of numerous students, triggering mass outrage. When Sheikh Hasina stepped down and disappeared, public fury erupted into violent protests, with people defying curfews to attack and loot police stations. Overwhelmed, police personnel abandoned their posts, leading to the lynching of 46 officers and the seizure of weapons and documents. This unprecedented event left the police force temporarily non-functional, something unseen even during the Liberation War.
Therefore, it is the public demand that democratic policing refers to a model of law enforcement in which the police serve the people rather than a regime, adhering strictly to the rule of law rather than the whims of public authorities. It ensures the protection of civil rights, including freedom of speech, association, and protection from torture or abuse. A fundamental aspect of democratic policing is external accountability, where police actions are subject to oversight by government bodies, independent commissions, and the courts. Ensuring public security remains a top priority, requiring police forces to balance law enforcement with the protection of individual rights.
A normative framework for democratic policing is built upon key principles that distinguish it from authoritarian models. Democratic police forces prioritise serving civil society rather than the state, operating with transparency and accountability at all levels. They are structured to reflect the demographic diversity of the population, ensuring representation of minority groups and women through fair recruitment policies. Professionalism and merit-based competency are central to their functioning, and they are insulated from undue political influence. These values are considered non-negotiable, as without them, police organisations cannot be deemed truly democratic in their structure, culture, or performance.
The principles of democratic policing emphasise representation, responsiveness, and accountability. Representative policing ensures that police personnel reflect the communities they serve while upholding human rights. Responsive policing aligns law enforcement actions with public needs, ensuring that crime prevention, detection, and public order maintenance are conducted lawfully and humanely. Lastly, accountable policing operates on three levels: legal accountability, ensuring police adherence to the law; political accountability, where police answer to the public through democratic institutions and oversight bodies; and economic accountability, ensuring that police effectively and justifiably manage allocated resources.
Finally, citizens often invoke a timeless quotation that encapsulates the ideal attributes of a police officer in the context of security: 鈥楾he citizen expects police officers to have the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of David, the strength of Samson, the patience of Jacob, the leadership of Moses, the kindness of the Good Samaritan, the strategy of Alexander, the faith of Daniel, the diplomacy of Lincoln, the tolerance of the carpenter of Nazareth, and finally, an intimate knowledge of every branch of the natural, biological, and social sciences.鈥� (August Vollmer, The Police and Modern Society).
The criminal justice system relies on the effective functioning of its interconnected components, with the police playing a pivotal role in upholding law and order. As the frontline of justice, the Bangladesh police must ensure fairness, efficiency, and accountability in their duties to maintain public trust and support the broader legal process. While challenges remain, continued reforms and modernisation efforts can strengthen the system, fostering a more just and equitable society where the rule of law prevails.
The future of policing in Bangladesh depends on building a force that exemplifies accountability, fairness, and professionalism while remaining deeply connected to the needs of its citizens. A police force that respects human rights, collaborates with communities and responds efficiently to public needs is essential for maintaining trust and legitimacy. Addressing systemic challenges 鈥� such as political interference, corruption, and resource limitations 鈥� requires bold reforms and continuous efforts to improve training, transparency, and ethical conduct. By embracing technological advancements and prioritising human rights, the Bangladesh Police can transform into a more responsive and trustworthy institution that upholds justice, security, and public service. This transformation will not only strengthen law enforcement鈥檚 effectiveness but also foster public confidence and lay the foundation for a safer and more equitable society.
Concluded.
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听Dr Md Motiar Rahman is a retired deputy inspector general of police.
