Why strategic planning?
In a national scenario as enumerated above, one might feel surprised or amused at the thought of a strategic vision and that too for the much-maligned police organisation of Bangladesh. However, ground realities in our country and similar situation elsewhere in the past and present would perhaps indicate the necessity of a long-term structured plan along with a mission statement and goals for a vital state organ like the police. If maintenance of law and order is the pre-condition for sustainable development as has been given to understand time and again by experts of all descriptions, then it is only appropriate that we sensitise and modernise our principal law-enforcement outfit by enabling them to understand, appreciate and fulfil their constitutional obligations and the community expectations.

There is no denying that the demand for police services of our rapidly growing society has increased at a faster rate than the growth and expansion of its service delivery capacity. We have, undoubtedly, a pressing need to elevate the sense of security of our people for ensuring harmonious socio-economic development of the country. In a scenario of competing demands for police services, there is a requirement to impress upon the importance of operational policing for combating the increasing crime in the society. The whole process would require the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of our police organisation. Functionaries at the service delivery points need to have a well-defined understanding of the priorities in the work situation. In sum, the organisation requires a clearer sense of direction.

Benefits of a long-term structured approach
It would follow from the above that introducing a structured approach to the future would necessitate the development of a strategic plan. This does not mean that one is oblivious of the immense difficulties of the field situation, particularly in view of our unique enforcement imperatives, to step outside the immediate and day-to-day policing problems and pause to take a look into the future. However, venturing to look ahead and beyond present times and compulsions is an essential prerequisite of a strategic plan. The police in Bangladesh need to set targets for achieving professional excellence. At the least, they need to know themselves, their potentialities, deficiencies and opportunities.

The elements
Assuming that the advantages of having a strategic plan for Bangladesh Police are considered beneficial as against having no planning document at all, the first priority should be to formulate strategic intention for the service embodying and promoting a statement of common purpose and objectives. Such statement should establish the nature of upcoming demands and problems likely to be faced. It would enable clear objectives to be laid down and identify the path to be followed to meet these objectives. The process would involve the determination of priorities and the fixing of initiatives to be considered and pursued by the service. The formulation of the strategy would be the visible expression of the wisdom and direction embodied in the statement of common purpose and objectives mentioned hereinbefore.

Our police and strategic plan
The above discussions may sound very lofty and impractical and even undesirable to many otherwise well-meaning citizens. They cannot be faulted for reasons better left unsaid. The inescapable reality, however, is that the ominous dehumanisation process of our enforcement machinery, whether or not in its incipient stage, has to be halted for the good of a democratic and civilized polity. It is with this objective in mind that the police organisation of Bangladesh and its well-wishers should strive to see things in the correct perspective.

Coming to specifics of law-enforcement, one may find that there is an increased appreciation of police priorities (organisationally speaking) by the policy makers, although not supplemented by adequate budgetary allocation. A contrasting dimension of the police profile is that despite comprehensive criticism of police behaviour and practices, there is a popular demand for police presence in the form of new police stations and outposts. The inherent goodness, patience and resilience of our common folks need to be harnessed by sensitive leadership in the enforcement. Simultaneously, we need to take note of the preponderance of diligent and committed personnel in different police ranks, particularly in the subordinate positions, who have demonstrated strong capability and commendable adaptability to face diverse situation. These fine individuals need encouragement and exposure to stimulating environment for nurturing the work ethic.

Reality and the myth
While the corrupt and improper behaviour of a section of police personnel cannot be condoned, our planners would do well to notice the deficits in terms of inadequate human resource development, meager technical and scientific support for crime detection, disproportionately greater emphasis on controlling public order situation than crime control, irrational pay structure, outdated laws amongst others. There is also a realistic need to demolish the malevolent myth that the police can be successful in every situation whatever the odds are. Such myths demoralise and denigrate the upright elements because the police are human too and have their limitations in all societies. The mischief or luck of some questionable smart fellows of yesteryears and may be of recent times should not be an acceptable basis for rational appraisal.

Politician's role
The planners and policymakers that include our political leadership have to appreciate that lack of adequate complementary infrastructural facilities compared to our population growth and the unemployment-related youth unrest have a serious adverse impact on crime and order situation and that in such a tight situation the unethical influence of politically powerful pressure groups further complicate the enforcement scenario to the detriment of public interests and service ethos.

Police leaders and politicians have to appreciate that with an increasing dependence on policing, characterised by more emphasis on enforcement than observance of law, we are willy-nilly fostering and patronising authoritarian practices. Such practices and the resultant reactions clearly stand in the way of accepting democracy as a mode of life. Tolerance, unanimity and consent as values are the casualties, unfortunately, in such an environment. If obedience to law is to be the norm rather than the unfortunate exception, then amongst others, one principal focus should be the educational curricula where suitable inclusion for promoting lawful conduct shall have to be made. This would be no mean effort to culturally internalise the compulsions of lawful and orderly society.

The important aspect that should engage our attention is the appropriate empowerment of the police organisation through provision of modern equipment including scientific tools for investigation and enforcement and inculcation of humane attitude of enforcers made attainable through institutional intervention. That would require larger resource allocation. We would need a serious O/M study to determine the realistic requirement of personnel. Senior supervisory complement needs to be augmented in an organisation that exercises immense powers affecting human liberty and social peace.

The addition of community's resources to the police resources is expected to lessen the burden on the exchequer and make the concept of police performance commensurate with the value for money thereby reducing overall policing costs a reality. This perhaps makes sense in our economy which does not enjoy the expected buoyancy. It has to be admitted that police resources are finite and therefore, too heavy a reliance on police power to solve basic social problems would be unwise. In fact, policing in a democratic society has to seek an ethical basis and rest on a form of social contract between the police and the public.

Muhammad Nurul Huda is a former secretary and IGP.