• Total respondents:  24,442 
• 89.5pc seek interference-free police
• 74.9pc want accountability
• 95pc demand ghost-case reform

People want a law-abiding, neutral, and corruption-free police force that will operate without any political influence, as per an online survey conducted by police reform commission.

The survey, titled Kemon Police Chai (What kind of police we want), gathered responses from 24,442 participants who answered 19 questions. The survey results were released on the PRC's official website yesterday. 

Key findings show that 89.5 percent of respondents want an end to political interference in police activities, while 77.9 percent demand the eradication of corruption within the force. Additionally, 74.9 percent emphasised the need for accountability and punishment for rights violations, such as enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings. 

On the issue of "ghost cases," 95 percent of participants called for ending this practice, and 82 percent demanded action against extortion through threats of false accusations. Another 74.5 percent called for legal measures against cases targeting deceased individuals, those abroad during alleged crimes, or the innocent. 

To prevent misuse of power, 69 percent suggested empowering officers-in-charge (OCs) to pre-verify cases with multiple accused. Additionally, 60 percent favoured the establishment of an independent body to investigate police misconduct, with 20 percent recommending a commission led by a retired High Court judge, and others advocating for an empowered National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). 

The PRC analysis recommended a permanent probe commission alongside strengthening the NHRC for better police accountability. 

A separate regulatory body or commission to oversee police accountability was supported by respondents, with 71.5 percent calling for punishment for police involved in rights violations, especially during protests. Nearly 68.8 percent advocated implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) aligned with international human rights standards, while 68 percent proposed a reward-and-reprimand system to promote respect for human rights among police personnel. 

Stricter penalties for uniformed personnel guilty of rights violations were also suggested by the PRC. 

Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), allowing arrests without warrants, was identified as widely misused by 82.5 percent of respondents, with 46.2 percent urging reform. Moreover, over 91.7 percent called for amending Section 167 of the CrPC due to reports of torture, rights violations, and deaths in custody. 

To address these issues, 80 percent recommended installing transparent glass interrogation rooms in police stations and ensuring the presence of female officers during the questioning of female suspects. 

The survey also revealed that 51 percent believe requiring prior permission to hold rallies in metropolitan areas limits constitutional rights, and 56 percent found the police emergency service "999" satisfactory. 

Among the participants, 23,191 were male and 1,251 female. Most respondents were from Dhaka, with 42.7 percent aged 25–34 and 27.2 percent being students. 

The PRC acknowledged a limitation in not collecting data from marginalised groups due to the online nature of the survey. 

"We will give priority to public opinion while drafting recommendations," said Abu Momtaz Saad Uddin Ahmed, additional secretary of the Public Security Division and a PRC member, adding that the draft is nearing completion.