Police are an integral part of any modern and democratic state. Hence the relation between the police and citizens should be very friendly and mutually benefiting. To make people aware of the roles and responsibilities of police, their different units, way of serving the nation and in the same way the police forces are also reminded of their duties towards state and its citizens, the renewal of their vow towards their profession, getting rewarded for their valiant and noble activities 'police week' is observed every year. The country witnesses the Police Week every year between March 6 and 9. Marking the inauguration of the Police Week 2014 an attractive parade of members of different units of the police was held. The Prime Minister reviewed the parade and took salute. When smartly dressed police contingents displayed their smart shows at Rajabagh Police Line, many questions come to public mind such as how far the police are friendly towards the common people, how much people are benefited by the role of police, how much help the people seek from the police, what neutral role the police play towards the common people?
Many pictures flash upon before my mind's eye when I witness the observation of police week on TV screen and listen to so many good words uttered by the Prime Minister and think how miles apart the reality and this show. When I was a school going boy at Babugonj Pilot High School, Barisal I used to witness almost every day how the police forces rejoiced over the inhuman torture of people in the field of our thana which stands next to our school compound. I thought then that the duty of the police was to nab the 'thief and dacoits' and to give them such kind of physical inhuman punishment. I did not know then that police can arrest anyone on any case. We, the students, thought that people who were undergoing physical torture was duly done as they committed crimes like 'stealing or dacoity'. So, their sky-high cry did not touch the heart of the spectators who used to enjoy that tortuous scene. I grew up and studied in the university. One day I was walking beside Rajarbagh Police Line and found one police officer who happened to be in our Babugonj thana. I felt elated to see him after a pretty long time and was hesitating to talk to him but my mind did not allow to do so as the common notion prevails that 'it is not good to talk to policemen, they are a hard nut to crack.' Until and unless we cannot remove this sort of notion about police force of the country, what is the necessity of so much pomp and grandeur over observing the police week?
Our Prime Minister adorned the badge of police Padak 2014 to 105 officials and constables in four categories for their outstanding contribution to providing services to the people and demonstrating their professional excellence. The police must be awarded because of their hazardous, courageous, sincere, honest and impartial work. Unfortunately, our police force has utterly failed to grasp these adjectives in the true sense of the term. Their lenience towards the 'powerful section' of the society has given rise to thousands of questions, and mistrust and distrust among the common men. Common men never want to face police whatever problem they face. This is true that 'going to police for getting the problems solved means multiplying the problem thousand times. 'So, common and peace loving people try to stand thousands of hands away from the police. Whatever, Padak or prize or award they receive by the people's money hardly attracts people's attention. Thirty-six policemen were awarded 'Bangladesh Police Padak and sixty-nine were given 'President Police Padak'. Will it bring any qualitative change in the police force? Will the common people go to them without fear and taking them as friends? Undoubtedly very talented officers work in the police force who can bring about positive changes in the society and country. They can play a very impartial role without being lenient to any corrupt or powerful section as their power is talent, honesty and love towards the country.
Who does not know that every police station is a haven of corruption, harassment and an ugly place for the honest citizens? So, why will they go there? But state machineries compel even the honest citizens to go to them to give them bribe. How? You need to make a passport. And you need a police clearance. How will you do that? By giving them handsome bribes. Who does not know it? Now, should we make only the police force responsible for this? Of course not. The people who look after them and control them must have a greater responsibility to deal with these affairs. And I want to request the force itself that you can earn people's trust and love and you have a lot of scope to serve the people and love the country. When you have these opportunities why don't you do that just?
The posts of sub-inspector and sergeant were upgraded to second class from third class while the posts of inspector have been elevated to the class-one from second class. It's good but their professional development, their training on humanity, psychology, and patriotism must be given serious consideration. Only raising the position does not ensure 'sincere and honest service 'towards the people'. She said her government introduced the IGP rank Badge for police which was initiated by Father of the nation. This is a good initiative of the government. Constables to sub-inspectors are getting 30% risk allowances. We appreciate this step of the government as they have to undergo many risky operations and so they deserve it and it may lessen their corruption. The declaration of recruiting another 50,000 police force has given rise to many questions again. Is it necessary to worsen the already weak economy? What's the necessity of it? Does the increase of police ensure the smooth law and order situation of the country? In many countries you will find no police force on the streets but the rate of crime registers the lowest in those countries. Do we see any police action before any criminal incident? Police come after the incident to make the situation worse. Many innocent people become the victims of their wrath. This is a common practice which must be dealt with judiciously.
Prime Minister said 30,833 new posts of police including 614 cadre posts were created. Industrial police, Bureau of Investigation, Tourist Police, Maritime police and two Security and Protection battalions were constituted during the reign of this government. But we advocated many a time to introduce 'Campus Police' to bring back normalcy in all the higher educational institutions of the country which have been plagued by many ills causing serious academic disruption. Real teaching learning atmosphere has disappeared many years back from the campuses due to nasty student politics. But for some unknown reasons 'Campus Police' has not yet been introduced. Apart from looking to the traditional duties police have to give focus on cyber crimes, money laundering, drugs trafficking, smuggling, woman and child trafficking, protecting marine and forest resources. To make them prepared to run these duties, they must be given special training in these fields.
It is a very difficult job for the home ministry to run so many departments including Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar and VDP, Fire Service and Civil Defence, Jail Police, RAB, Industrial Police, Tourist Police and River Police smoothly. We appreciate this concern of the Prime Minister. We want Border Guard Bangladesh and RAB to be included in the ministry of defence. Ansar VDP and Fire Service and Civil Defence should be in a separate ministry. And the rest of the departments should be in the home ministry. The Prime Minister termed police the symbol of peace, security and discipline. We all expect that police should acquire these qualities but the reality proves otherwise. Let the vow and motto of this year's Police Week be 'every thana a safe resort for common people proving all notions regarding police wrong.'
The writer is Program Manager: BRAC Education Program and Vice-President: Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association (BELTA). Email: [email protected]
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