Police week-2025: Cops to get directives over polls

Ahead of the upcoming Police Week-2025, the police top brass have finalised instructions for field-level officers to ensure stability and deliver a credible national election.

Senior officials will also listen to the challenges and demands of field officers during the week-long discussions to strengthen law and order ahead of the 13th parliamentary polls.

Following the interim government directives, police have decided to act impartially and resist pressure from any quarters during the election period.

These decisions were made during preparatory meetings for Police Week, set to begin on April 29, according to Police Headquarters (PHQ) sources.

Enamul Haque Sagor, assistant inspector general of the PHQ, told The Daily Star that issues including law and order will be discussed, and steps will be taken to address field officers' demands, adding that officials are aiming for a more focused event this year, without the usual grand celebrations.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate Police Week-2025 at the Rajarbagh Police Lines Auditorium. He will deliver election-related directives and present Bangladesh Police Medals and President Police Medals to 62 officers selected by the PHQ.

Awardees include former IGP Moinul Islam, RAB DG AKM Shahidur Rahman, several acting additional IGPs, DIGs, commissioners, SPs, and other officers. A letter has been issued asking them to be in Dhaka from today (April 27).

Following the inauguration, sets of demands prepared by the PHQ will be presented before Yunus and among police officials. Priority will be given to the formation of an independent police commission, which would include a public complaint cell and a Grievance Redressal Committee for police members.

A senior PHQ official, requesting anonymity, said, "Only an independent commission could bring the police force back on the right track and make it service-oriented."

Other demands include a compensation allowance, more police vehicles, financial support for burial or cremation of personnel, infrastructural development, establishment of an independent cyber unit, enhancement of manpower, medical upgrades for divisional police hospitals, founding a police medical college, creating a women-friendly work environment, and policies to manage overtime from land disputes and environmental enforcement.

Older demands, such as repealing the Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, expanding DIG posts, and launching an aviation unit, are expected to be raised again at meetings with advisers and secretaries on April 30.

For the first time, a meeting will also be held with religious leaders, journalists, and community leaders on May 1, the final day of Police Week, to discuss public expectations from the police.

Unlike previous years, there will be no parade at the Rajarbagh Police Lines, no meeting with the president, and no competitive events, as the celebrations have been scaled down.