The formation of an independent police commission is essential to make the police humane, said Brigadier General (retd) Dr. Shipping and Textiles and Jute Advisor. M. Sakhawat Hossain.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar organized by South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) of the university at Syndicate Hall of North South University in the capital on Saturday (November 9).
A seminar was organized on the proposal of formation of police commission and other reforms to ensure public-oriented police service.
Emphasizing the need for ongoing reforms of the state system undertaken by the present government, the adviser said, “It is imperative to form our police commission.” After August 8, I spoke to members of the police at various levels. The formation of this police commission was their demand at that time. They no longer want to be a part of politicization. An independent police commission is essential in transforming a ‘monstrous police’ into a ‘humane police’.”
A judicial officer may be appointed as the head of this independent police commission and the adviser submits his opinion that the commission should not exceed five members. At this time, the advisor emphasized on the willingness and commitment of the political parties of the country to form an independent police commission with the aim of making the police people-oriented.
He said, ‘After the bloody revolution of July-August, the formation of a police force free from political interference is the need of the hour. Public confidence in the police force must be restored by any means. For this
In order to eliminate police irregularities and corruption, he said about the introduction of two-step recruitment process from the existing three-step recruitment in the police, ‘The opportunities and privileges of the lower-ranking members of the police are very few. They have no chance of promotion. Constables retire from the post they join. which is not desirable. When a university graduate no longer sees any prospect of promotion. Then he was disappointed. Involved in various irregularities and corruption. Police corruption will be reduced to a great extent by increasing the facilities of the police downwards.’
He further said, ‘A senior officer should know how his subordinates perform their police duties. What problems are being faced in performing the duties. For this reason, BCS cadre police officers can be attached to the police station for one year after basic training in Sarada to create an opportunity to know and understand how the police works at the grass root level.’
In order to ensure transparency and accountability in the recruitment process of the police, the shipping advisor emphasized on completing the recruitment process and their training program centrally instead of taking the district-based recruitment process.
The seminar was conducted by North South University’s SIPG Director Prof. Sheikh Taufiq M. the right Professor of Law Department of North South University. Md. Rizwanul Islam and Assistant Professor of Political Science and Sociology Department. Ishrat Zakia Sultana outlined a possible roadmap for the country’s police reforms and a possible plan to form a police commission at the seminar.
Bobby Hajjaz, founder and chairman of the political party National Democratic Movement (NDM), said, ‘We applaud the formation of the Police Commission. Through this we will move towards decentralization and thereby reduce the politicization of the police.’
S. M. Zahirul Islam, former home secretary and adviser to the BNP chairperson said, ‘If one of our constables is competent, talented and trustworthy, why should he not be given the opportunity to be promoted to the highest post? We need to rethink our recruitment process. We welcome what is good for the people from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).’
Bangladesh Police DIG Barrister Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain said, ‘The issue of demoralized policemen should be given importance as a part of our reforms.’
North South University Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury delivered the concluding speech of the session, he reiterated the university’s commitment to research and dialogue on nationally important issues.
The seminar was attended by teachers of various universities, researchers, representatives of various political parties and senior government officials.
How can an independent police commission improve community relations and trust in law enforcement?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Brigadier General (retd) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hossain
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Brigadier General Hossain! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the vital topic of police reform. Your recent seminar at North South University highlighted the need for an independent police commission. Can you share with us why you believe this is essential for making the police service more humane?
Dr. Hossain: Thank you for having me. The formation of an independent police commission is crucial because it fundamentally alters the relationship between the police and the community they serve. Right now, the police are often seen as an extension of political power rather than protectors of the citizens. An independent commission would help transform the police force from what I termed a ‘monstrous police’ into a ‘humane police’, one that is accountable to the public rather than political interests.
Time.news Editor: That’s an interesting perspective. You mentioned that during your discussions with police members, there was a palpable demand for less politicization. Can you elaborate on that?
Dr. Hossain: Absolutely. After the events of August 8, I was able to engage with various police personnel across levels. A consistent message emerged: they felt sidelined by political influences and wanted to operate free from such pressures. This sentiment underscores the necessity of an independent commission, which would help to restore public trust in the police force.
Time.news Editor: You’ve proposed a structure for this commission, suggesting it should be led by a judicial officer and consist of no more than five members. What led you to this conclusion?
Dr. Hossain: The idea of having a judicial officer at the helm is to ensure impartiality and expertise in upholding the law. A smaller commission with no more than five members ensures agility in decision-making, reduces bureaucracy, and allows for focused oversight. It’s vital that there is a commitment from the political parties to support this initiative for it to succeed.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of political support, how do you think political parties in the country can be persuaded to back these reforms?
Dr. Hossain: It’s crucial that political leaders recognize the long-term benefits of a police force that operates independently of political machinations. The restoration of public confidence is paramount. Without it, no government can thrive; citizens must trust that their police are there to serve them. Engaging in open dialogues and illustrating the potential for a more stable and secure society could be persuasive.
Time.news Editor: You highlighted the need to tackle police recruitment challenges. Can you explain your proposal for revising the recruitment process?
Dr. Hossain: Certainly! I’ve suggested moving from a three-step to a two-step recruitment process. The current method is cumbersome and discouraging for recruits—often, they see very little opportunity for advancement. By streamlining the process and enhancing support for lower-ranking officers, we could minimize corruption and foster motivation and integrity within the force.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like these reforms are multifaceted. You also mentioned a proposal to attach BCS cadre police officers to stations to understand grassroots operations better. How important do you think this is for overall reform?
Dr. Hossain: This is vital! Understanding the realities that officers face daily is key to effective leadership and reform. By allowing senior officers to gain first-hand experience at the police station level, we can create empathy and informed strategies that better address the challenges faced by officers. It bridges the gap between ranks and builds a culture of accountability.
Time.news Editor: how do you envision the role of transparency and accountability in the police recruitment process?
Dr. Hossain: Transparency is the bedrock of any reform. By centralizing the recruitment and training process, we minimize local biases and ensure that every candidate is assessed fairly. The aim is to cultivate a police force that not only performs well but also embodies integrity and public trust. Only then can we truly transform the police into a people-oriented service.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Brigadier General Hossain, for sharing your insights. Your vision for a more effective and humane police force is not just timely but essential for societal progress. We appreciate your dedication to this critical issue.
Dr. Hossain: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important reforms. Together, we can strive for a police force that truly serves and protects the people.