Summary:
- Over 80,000 police officers were recruited in the last 15 years based on political affiliations, as revealed by DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali.
- Recruitment involved scrutiny of candidates’ political backgrounds, including their family histories, raising concerns about impartiality.
- The commissioner admitted to unprofessional behavior by some officers during the July-August 2024 mass uprising and noted that many have since fled or faced action.
- Efforts are being made to address these issues, but the scale of politically influenced recruitment poses challenges for reforming the police force.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali has revealed that over 80,000 police officers, out of the approximately 200,000-strong force in Bangladesh, were recruited in the past 15 years based on their political affiliations. Speaking at his first press conference at the DMP Media Centre on December 9, 2024, he acknowledged the controversial recruitment practices and their implications for the police force.
“In the last 15 years, different types of scrutiny have been done before giving appointments to know the political affiliation of the candidates, their fathers, grandfathers, and even their predecessors,” Commissioner Sazzat Ali stated. He further explained that around 80,000 to 90,000 personnel were recruited through this process. Addressing concerns about reforming the force, he noted, “We cannot tell 80 to 90 thousand police personnel to go home.”
The commissioner also expressed regret over unprofessional behavior exhibited by some members of the police during the mass uprisings in July and August 2024. These protests, which were marked by widespread public dissent and violent crackdowns by law enforcement, highlighted deep-seated issues within the police force. Many officers reportedly abandoned their posts during this period, while others faced allegations of excessive use of force.
The revelations come amid a broader conversation about police reform in Bangladesh. Following the political upheaval in August 2024 and the subsequent fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime, public trust in law enforcement has been severely eroded. The interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus established a Police Reform Commission in September to address systemic issues within the force. The commission aims to depoliticize recruitment processes, improve accountability, and modernize policing practices.
The politicization of Bangladesh’s police force has long been a contentious issue. Critics argue that recruitment and promotions have often prioritized loyalty to ruling parties over merit and professionalism. This has led to allegations of corruption, human rights abuses, and a lack of impartiality in law enforcement activities. The events of July and August further exposed these flaws, with reports of extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests intensifying public outrage.
Experts have emphasized that meaningful reform is essential to restore public confidence in law enforcement. Recommendations include establishing independent oversight bodies to monitor police conduct, enacting legislation to prevent political interference, and enhancing training programs to ensure professionalism within the force. Additionally, addressing poor working conditions and ensuring fair compensation for officers are seen as critical steps toward building a more effective and accountable police service.
The revelations by Commissioner Sazzat Ali underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms. While acknowledging past mistakes, his statements reflect a recognition of the challenges ahead in transforming Bangladesh’s police force into an institution that upholds justice and serves its citizens impartially. As public scrutiny grows and calls for accountability intensify, the success of these reforms will be crucial in shaping the future of law enforcement in Bangladesh.
Source: The Daily Star
