We have transformed police into a people-friendly force: Home Minister

We have transformed police into a people-friendly force: Home Minister

The public will judge the image of the police force, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said. "I believe we have been able to transform this police force into a people-friendly force. They need to be morally encouraged so that they work according to public expectations, according to the law, to implement the rule of law," he said.

The minister was speaking at an event at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday, June 8, where police personnel were being rewarded.

"We believe in a reward and punishment policy. Recognition for good work, reproach for bad work. Nurturing the good and suppressing the evil — this is our policy, and we have been able to prove it in practice. In the coming days, it will be seen how successful we are," he added.

Responding to a question about a TIB report, the home minister said TIB is not a government organisation. "You should take statistics from the police department and the Ministry of Home Affairs for the actual picture. Then you and the public will judge."

He noted that TIB's report is based on newspaper clippings, and TIB does not conduct any investigation. "TIB does not judge actual events before making any statement. What we have in front of us is the crime picture of the police, which we collect from the districts. That is our routine work, and that is factual information."

Regarding newspaper reports, he said, "Many news items are published in newspapers. We certainly take note of them and look into them. Not every incident can be said to be accurate. However, since newspapers have the freedom to write, we send those for proper verification."

He added, "Even if I cannot see all the newspaper clippings in the morning, I see them throughout the day. I send them to the concerned department, asking them to examine the matter and give me their opinion on what the actual incident is. TIB's report is based only on paper clippings. I do not wish to comment on that."