71.5% support punishing police for excessive force: Survey

A recent survey by the Ministry of Home Affairs has revealed that 71.5% of people demand punishment for police members involved in excessive use of force to handle protest marches and suppress opposing views.

The findings emerged from the analysis of the survey titled 'What Kind of Police Do We Want?' conducted by the Public Relations Department of the Ministry.

The Police Reform Commission released the survey results on Tuesday (December 3). The findings are now accessible on the commission’s official website at www.prc.mhapsd.gov.bd, said a media release.

The survey highlighted strong public sentiment regarding the need for accountability and the safeguarding of human rights.

"About 71.5% of respondents want punishment for police members involved in excessive use of force to handle protest marches and suppress dissent, which amounts to human rights violations and is considered a criminal act," the survey results indicated.

Besides, 68.8% of respondents supported including international human rights guidelines and formalising standard procedures in policing. They believed such measures would strengthen adherence to human rights.

The survey also found that 68.27% of respondents backed rewarding and penalising police members annually to encourage respect for and loyalty to human rights.