The Police Reform Commission (PRC) has stressed the need for improving the service-oriented programmes of the Bangladesh Police, such as filing of online general diary (GD) and women helpline to deal with cyber crimes, reports BSS.
"The service-oriented programmes of the police need to be improved, and more sincere and dedicated public-friendly policing needs to be promoted," the PRC said in its opinion on a public survey that has found majority respondents' dissatisfaction with different police services.
The interim government has formed the PRC to reform the police force.
The PRC conducted the survey, titled 'Kemon Police Chai' (what kind of police we want), as part of the government's initiative to make the police force more people-friendly.
The survey was carried out in the wake of recent criticism at home and abroad regarding exercising aggressive power by some police personnel during the recent Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The survey is now available on the PRC website (www.prc.mhapsd.gov.bd).
The study shows that some 56 per cent of the respondents are happy with the '999 Emergency Call Service', as it is a widely-publicised service programme.
But, in the survey, most of the respondents, out of 24,442, have expressed their dissatisfaction over other police service programmes, such as Online GD Programme, Online Police Clearance, Victim Support Centre, Women's Helpline on Cyber Crime, Community and Beat Policing Programmes, Women, Children, Elderly, Disabled Desk, and E-Trafficking Prosecution.
The study has found that only 23.6 per cent respondents have expressed satisfaction over the Online GD Programme, with around 45.8 per cent expressing dissatisfaction, and 17.5 per cent are not aware of the programme.
Some 35.5 per cent respondents have expressed dissatisfaction over Women's Helpline on Cyber Crime, while 24.1 per cent have expressed satisfaction over the programme, and 38.1 per cent do not know anything about the programme.
About the E-Trafficking Prosecution, 37.8 per cent have expressed their dissatisfaction and 38.1 per cent are not aware of it, while only 24.1 per cent have expressed satisfaction.
"In order to establish the Bangladesh Police as a service-oriented and people-friendly force, it is essential to accelerate the aforementioned programmes with widespread publicity and effective monitoring by the police headquarters with the support of the Ministry of Information," the PRC said.
It also said some public-friendly police service programmes have been running for a long time.
Analysing the received information, the PRC said it can be easily estimated that except one or two programmes, the activities of the remaining programmes are not satisfactory.
About the Online Police Clearance, the PRC said it does not have much impact on public opinion, and it is important to take necessary measures to improve the service.
Regarding the Victim Support Centre, the commission said only 26.7 per cent of the respondents have expressed satisfaction with its activities.