Cops may not get separate division

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday did not accept the police demand for forming a separate division for the force and giving it the job of airport security. 

Top police officials raised the demand during a meeting with the PM at her office on the second day of Police Week 2016, said meeting sources.

They also asked for upgrading the rank of 33 police officials to the rank of a secretary, appointing police officials to all ministries on deputation, setting up a medical college at the Central Police Hospital at Rajarbagh and establishing a bank and an insurance company for the force.

The policemen wanted the marine police's sole jurisdiction in the rivers and coastal areas and Bangladesh Coast Guard's jurisdiction in deep sea. The coast guard now patrols coastal areas.

On forming a separate division for police, Hasina said her government was considering a plan to appoint a couple of secretaries to the home ministry so that the ministry could function better since its area of work expanded considerably.

“We know very well what to do and where to do it…leave it to me,” she added.

If the police department is run under a separate division, it would be able to communicate with the Prime Minister's Office directly, which would enable the force to get its jobs done without facing any bureaucratic hurdles, a police official said.

About giving police the job of airport security, the PM said police were given the duty before, but the move did not yield any positive results.

The London flight from Dhaka was at risk of suspension due to lack of security at the Dhaka airport, she said, adding that an unit composed of members from different forces must be formed to look after security at the airports.

A proposal of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (Caab) for setting up a 2,200 strong Aviation Security Guard has been awaiting government approval. In the meantime, the government has planned to form Aviation Security Force comprising members from the air force, the police, and Ansar, said a Caab official.

On setting up a separate bank for the police, Hasina said she would have no objection to the proposal if the force could arrange Tk 400 crore capital and forwarded the matter to the finance minister.

She also welcomed a proposal for introducing an insurance policy for the force.

Deputy Inspector General (Dhaka range) of police Iqbal Bahar, Dhaka Superintendent of Police Habibur Rahman, and Narsingdi SP Amena Begum placed the demands before the meeting.