ON AUGUST 5, the world witnessed a significant political upheaval in Bangladesh, as the long-standing autocratic prime minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country amid a revolution led by students and citizens. Her 15-year rule had deeply corrupted and politicised various government institutions, including the police force, which had become a tool of oppression and brutality. The police, heavily influenced by the Awami League, were implicated in extrajudicial killings, kidnappings and other atrocities, particularly during the July uprising.
With the fall of Hasina鈥檚 regime, the new government faces the daunting task of overhauling and reforming the police force. Drawing lessons from the police systems of America and other developed countries can offer valuable insights into creating a more just, accountable and effective law enforcement body in Bangladesh. This article outlines key strategies for police reform, taking into account the current context in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh鈥檚 police force, long embroiled in allegations of corruption, human rights abuses and political favouritism, faces an urgent need for reform. The force鈥檚 negative reputation, fuelled by instances of misconduct and its perceived role as a tool for political repression, has led to widespread public mistrust. To restore public confidence and enhance the integrity of the police force, a series of听structured reforms are essential. Drawing lessons from developed countries with successful policing models, Bangladesh can implement a roadmap for creating a more accountable, transparent and community-focused police force. Below are key reform strategies aimed at transforming Bangladesh鈥檚 police system into a modern institution that serves and protects all citizens fairly.
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Establishing a transparent oversight mechanism
THE Bangladesh police force has faced numerous accusations of human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, and political bias. A lack of independent oversight has allowed these issues to persist, further deepening public mistrust. Establishing an independent oversight mechanism is crucial to ensure accountability and foster transparency within the police force.
Lessons from developed countries:
United States: In the US, several cities have established civilian review boards that provide oversight of police activities. These boards, composed of community members and legal experts, review complaints against the police and investigate instances of misconduct. This system helps ensure that the police remain accountable to the public they serve.
United Kingdom: The UK鈥檚 Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) operates as an external body responsible for investigating complaints and misconduct allegations. Its independence from the police ensures impartiality, allowing it to maintain transparency and public trust.
Recommendations for Bangladesh:
Create an independent oversight body: Bangladesh should establish an independent commission, empowered to investigate police misconduct, corruption, and abuses of power. This body should include legal experts, human rights activists, civil society representatives, and community leaders. The commission should be provided with sufficient authority to access police records, summon officers for testimony, and recommend disciplinary action.
Ensure transparency: To enhance public trust, the oversight body should regularly publish detailed reports on its investigations, findings, and disciplinary actions taken. Transparency in the process will help restore confidence in the police force by demonstrating that misconduct will not be tolerated and will be addressed through due process.
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Implementing comprehensive training and professional development
THE Bangladesh police force is often criticised for its lack of professionalism, with many officers untrained in basic human rights, conflict resolution, or de-escalation techniques. Political influence has compromised the quality of training, leaving many officers ill-equipped to handle modern policing challenges.
Lessons from developed countries:
Germany: German police undergo extensive training in human rights, ethical conduct, conflict resolution, and legal standards. Officers are regularly trained throughout their careers, ensuring they are updated on best practices and emerging issues.
Canada: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police emphasises community-oriented policing, focusing on building trust with the community through de-escalation techniques and non-confrontational approaches to law enforcement.
Recommendations for Bangladesh:
Develop a modern training curriculum: A comprehensive training curriculum that focuses on human rights, ethical conduct, conflict resolution, and community engagement is essential. Additionally, the curriculum should include modules on policing in a diverse society, ensuring that officers respect and protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their background.
Invest in ongoing professional development: Officers should be required to undergo periodic training throughout their careers. This ongoing professional development will keep the force updated on the latest policing techniques, legal standards, and best practices. Training on non-violent communication, de-escalation, and ethical decision-making should be prioritised to minimise excessive use of force.
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Enhancing recruitment and selection processes
UNDER the tenure of Sheikh Hasina, the police recruitment process became heavily politicised, leading to a force that was often seen as lacking merit and integrity. Political favouritism resulted in the hiring of officers who were unqualified or corrupt, undermining the professionalism of the force.
Lessons from Developed Countries:
Netherlands: The Dutch police have a rigorous recruitment process that includes psychological assessments, thorough background checks, and comprehensive interviews to ensure that only qualified and capable individuals are selected.
Australia: The Australian Federal Police employs a transparent recruitment system based on merit and competence. This approach ensures that political connections do not influence recruitment, thereby maintaining the integrity of the force.
Recommendations for Bangladesh:
Adopt a merit-based recruitment system: A transparent, merit-based recruitment process should be introduced, focusing on professional qualifications, integrity, and commitment to public service. The selection criteria should be rigorous and free from political interference.
Conduct thorough background checks: All new recruits should undergo extensive background checks, including criminal history, financial records, and psychological evaluations. This will ensure that only individuals who are suited to the responsibilities of policing and are free from corruption are appointed.
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Promoting community policing and building trust
THE police in Bangladesh have a reputation for brutality and corruption, leading to a significant erosion of public trust. Community policing, which involves building positive relationships between the police and local communities, can help to rebuild this trust and foster collaboration between law enforcement and the public.
Lessons from developed countries:
Sweden: The Swedish police focus on community policing, emphasising collaboration with local communities to address issues such as crime prevention and public safety. This approach builds trust and ensures that the police are seen as a positive force in the community.
New Zealand: New Zealand鈥檚 police are known for their community engagement strategies, which involve working closely with local organisations and residents to identify and solve community problems.
Recommendations for Bangladesh:
Implement community policing programmes: Bangladesh should introduce community policing programs that promote cooperation between police officers and local residents. This could involve assigning officers to specific neighbourhoods where they can build long-term relationships with residents, understand local concerns, and work collaboratively to address crime.
Encourage community involvement: Community policing should also include the formation of partnerships with local organisations, advocacy groups, and religious or community leaders. This will ensure that the police are responsive to the needs and concerns of the communities they serve, thereby rebuilding trust.
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Ensuring accountability and transparency in operations
ONE of the major challenges facing the Bangladesh police force is the lack of accountability. Officers accused of misconduct, including corruption and human rights violations, often face no consequences. This has created a culture of impunity, where abuses of power go unchecked.
Lessons from developed countries:
France: French police operations are subject to strict oversight mechanisms, with clear procedures for ensuring accountability and transparency. Officers are held accountable for any misconduct through disciplinary action or legal consequences.
Japan: Japan鈥檚 police maintain high standards of accountability through internal controls and regular audits. These systems ensure that officers adhere to established protocols and are held accountable for their actions.
Recommendations for Bangladesh:
Implement accountability measures: Bangladesh must establish clear procedures for holding officers accountable for misconduct. This should include internal听disciplinary actions and legal consequences for serious violations. The process should be transparent, with regular reporting on the outcomes of investigations into police misconduct.
Adopt transparent operational practices: All police operations, including the use of force, arrests, and detentions, should be carried out transparently. Clear operational guidelines should be established and regularly reviewed to ensure they are in line with international human rights standards. Body cameras and other technologies can also be employed to ensure transparency in day-to-day policing activities.
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Conclusion
REFORMING Bangladesh鈥檚 police force is a complex but necessary task. The current system, plagued by allegations of corruption, political influence and human rights abuses, requires comprehensive and sustained reform efforts to regain public trust and ensure that the police serve the public with integrity. By establishing an independent oversight body, investing in training and professional development, reforming recruitment practices, promoting community policing and enforcing accountability, Bangladesh can create a police force that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of its citizens.
The reforms proposed here, informed by successful models from developed countries, provide a roadmap for transforming the Bangladesh police into a modern institution. Ultimately, these reforms will not only improve the police force鈥檚 effectiveness but also contribute to the broader goal of creating a more just, equitable and democratic society. The success of this transformation depends on the commitment of the government, civil society and the听international community to work together towards a more accountable and transparent policing system.
By drawing on lessons from developed countries and implementing comprehensive reforms, including establishing independent oversight, improving training, enhancing recruitment processes, promoting community policing and ensuring accountability, Bangladesh can work towards creating a police force that serves and protects its citizens with integrity and respect. The successful implementation of these reforms will be essential in healing the wounds of the past and building a safer and more equitable future for all Bangladeshis.鈥夆��
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HRM Rokan Uddin, a retired Brigadier General, is a writer, military thinker and ex-military diplomat.