Cops in crisis: Crime gangs taking advantage

During the previous government's tenure, the police force had already been criticized for various incidents such as immoral financial transactions, transfers and promotions under the political umbrella, and human rights violations in various fields. Members of this force have faced a new image crisis due to the indiscriminate use of weapons in the July-August movement. At that time, the police force became the target of anger for playing a controversial role. As a result of the reckless behavior of police officers and ordinary members at various levels, on the one hand, the public's trust in them has been lost, and on the other hand, they have also faced extreme crises.

During the July-August movement, attacks, vandalism, and arson were carried out on various police installations and vehicles, including the headquarters. At least 44 police members were killed. The activities of various police stations and traffic police in the country, including the capital, were halted. Hundreds of police members went into hiding, and the structure of this force collapsed. In this situation, due to manpower shortage and low morale, Bangladesh Police is unable to overcome the crisis to ensure public safety, especially Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Manpower Crisis

After visiting various police stations in the capital and talking to police officers and members, it was learned that after the fall of the government, sufficient inspectors had not yet been appointed in the police stations. There is a crisis in the divisional areas of the DMP and even the assistant deputy police commissioners of the police. Meanwhile, DMP sources say that most of the DMP police stations, including Lalbagh, Jatrabari, and Mirpur, were damaged during the movement. Out of the 51 police stations of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), only three police stations were intact. Of the damaged stations, at least 20 are in a skeletal state. Mirpur, Jatrabari, Adabor, Mohammadpur, Badda, Bhatara and Uttara Paschim police stations have taken a fragile form.

Several police stations in the capital, including Mirpur, Paltan, Mohammadpur, Adabor, Pallabi, and Sher-e-Bangla, are supposed to have three inspector-rank officers; but due to the manpower shortage, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has reduced the number by one inspector. However, the inspector (investigation) will additionally be responsible for all the operations. Admitting the manpower shortage, Tejgaon Deputy Police Commissioner Ruhul Kabir told Views Bangladesh that due to the shortage of manpower, one officer is performing the duties of multiple posts (investigation, operations) in the police stations.

Morale Crisis

The police are already suffering from administrative and manpower shortages, and on the other hand, the negative attitude of the general public towards them has made their mental state difficult. Even after five months, the members of this force are unable to overcome the panic. Ordinary police members say that since independence, so many policemen have not been attacked and killed in such incidents at the same time. These incidents have created a kind of panic among them, resulting in a slowdown in normal activities. They said that it would take more time to return to normalcy.

Meanwhile, responsible officials say that they are paying special attention to boosting the morale of their colleagues and increasing mental support. In addition to technical assistance, they are taking various strategies to increase the mental strength of the police and turn around in the field. Police Headquarters AIG (Media and Public Relations) Enamul Haque Sagar said: "We want to boost the morale of our police members and provide the desired service to the people."

When the police are accused

So far, 952 police members have been charged with shooting and killing people during the movement. These cases have been filed in various police stations and courts across the country. A total of 28 police members have already been arrested. The list of accused includes six former Inspector Generals of Police, 36 former Additional Inspector Generals of Police, 5 Additional IGPs, several former and current DIGs, Additional DIGs, Superintendents of Police, Additional Superintendents of Police, Assistant Superintendents of Police, Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, Constables, and members of various ranks.

Transfer panic

The officer-in-charge of a police station in the capital said that in addition to the manpower crisis, there is also transfer panic among the police. As a result, it is not possible to create a working environment. It is learned that 94 police officers were transferred in these seven days, the last four days of last year and the first three days of the new year. Of these, 65 senior police officers were transferred simultaneously on the first day of the year. A total of 87 policemen were transferred in two phases on the orders of the headquarters in two days.

On January 2, 18 officers of the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police and Assistant Superintendent of Police were transferred to different units. Meanwhile, on the last day of last year, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) ordered the transfer of seven officers of the AC rank. Among the transferred officers are officers of the rank of DIG, Additional DIG, and Police Super. The notification was signed by Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Abu Sayeed on the orders of the President. In this regard, AIG (Media) of the Police Headquarters Enamul Haque Sagar said that the change in the leadership of the police was inevitable due to the chaotic situation that had developed in the police force before August 5.

Crime gangs are taking advantage

Due to the fragile condition of the police force, serious crimes including theft, robbery, and murder have increased significantly in the country. Incidents of murder, kidnapping, and robbery have increased across the country, including the capital Dhaka. According to statistics from the Police Headquarters, 583 people were murdered across the country in September last year, 399 in October and 337 in November. In the capital Dhaka, 55 murder cases were registered in November last year, 57 in October, and 148 in September.

Police data shows that apart from murder, there has been an increase in cases of robbery, dacoity, banditry, child abuse, kidnapping, and theft of jewelry. A total of 111 cases of robbery have been registered in the two months of September and October last year, there have been 529 cases of child abuse and 161 kidnappings in two months. In addition, 57 people have died in mob lynchings in Dhaka alone in the last four months.

Criminologists say that the significant increase in murders is a threat to the law and order system, which needs to be addressed immediately. Professional criminals who are still active must be brought under the law.

Although the joint forces are taking action to control such crimes, it is not significant. They say that this is why the number of robberies and snatching is increasing after August 5. Police say that although the law and order system in the country initially seemed to be collapsing after the fall of the government, improvement was observed as well. However, it cannot be said that multidimensional crimes including theft, robbery, and drug supply are less than before. Rather, they have expressed concern that in some cases these crimes increased. Therefore, several areas of the capital are still unsafe. In some cases, the police have to depend on the joint forces.

Sociologists' statement

Regarding the crisis, Dr Touhidul Haque, associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University, and criminologist, said: "Although the police are supposed to be cent percent active in maintaining law and order, the reality is no security measures are visible. During the movement, the general public has become distrustful of the police. Moreover, they are also spending their days in fear due to the attacks on the police at that time. Criminals are also taking advantage of the fear that has arisen among the police in the emerging situation. When criminals know that it is possible to get away with committing crimes and when there is a visible crisis for those who will question their crimes legally, criminals consider it their opportunity. That is the situation that exists in the country at present."

Hope for rapid improvement

Several top police officials have said that the police force will soon move towards a better future after overcoming this crisis. They say that the police are now working in full swing after overcoming all the problems. There have been many positive changes in traffic and police station activities in the last two months. Police Headquarters AIG (Media) Enamul Haque Sagar said, 1,074 police vehicles and 497 installations were damaged during the July-August movement. They have already been repaired. The morale of the police has been restored. Although the police's operational work was stopped at the beginning of the changed situation, they are already conducting operations with a good attitude. The situation will improve further soon.

Promotion to restore discipline

However, the good news is that 975 police members have been promoted in the last two months to restore discipline in the police force. Among them, there is one Additional IG (Grade-1), 80 DIGs, 48 Additional DIGs, 300 SPs, and 64 police inspectors. A total of 753 police members have been promoted from constable to SI ranks in the last two months. Of them, six are TSIs, 15 SIs (S.), 18 SIs (N.), and 12 ASIs (N.). Moreover, 677 have been promoted from constable to Naik.

Police Reform Commission

Last October, the interim government formed the 'Police Reform Commission' to build a people-oriented, accountable, efficient, and impartial police force. After the formation of the Police Reform Commission on October 3, a public opinion circular titled 'What kind of police do we want' was published on October 31, signed by Abu Momtaz Saad Uddin Ahmed, Additional Secretary of the Public Security Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs and also the Member Secretary of the commission. It sought opinions on the commission's website by November 15 on police reform.

In this, about 20,000 people from different classes and professions have sent their opinions on a police force that is people-friendly, accountable, free from political influence, corruption-free, efficient, modern, well-trained in detecting new crimes, respectful of human rights, and loyal to the rule of law. It is expected that a new plan for police reform will come out in the new year based on these opinions.