Policemen don't take bribes openly anymore

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia yesterday said police used to extort people earlier, tortured them and produced them to courts after arresting them in pending cases filed under Section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), but the scenario has changed.

“Police used to take bribe openly. Some journalists were involved in this crime, but now all these have stopped. Yellow journalism has now gone to museum,” the DMP commissioner said while exchanging views with newly-elected leaders of Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) yesterday.

He said now if any policeman takes bribe, they do it very secretly, as proper punitive measures are taken against them if higher official come to know about it.

Asaduzzaman Mia also said he has directed officials to find out whether any fake case has been filed with any police station in DMP in the last six months. “If anyone is found to be accused in any fake case, the person will be released,” he said.

The DMP chief also said police members have to shun the tendency of using force and high-handed attitude.

“Do not arrest people and send them to court just because you have the power,” he said, adding that power is not permanent.

Asaduzaman Mia also said terrorism, militancy and drugs are the main obstacles in establishing good governance in the country.

“Now it is our prime challenge to root out terrorism, militancy and drug-smuggling for establishing good governance,” he said.

The DMP chief said the working pattern of the crime reporters and police is similar, as both sides want to serve the people's interest. The congenial relationship between the two will remain uninterrupted, the DMP commissioner hoped.

CRAB President Abul Khair, General Secretary Dipu Sarwar and other leaders of the association were present at the meeting held at the commissioner's office.