Only capable cops to get vital posts
Amid widespread allegations of political influence, bribery, and nepotism in policemen getting posts, the authorities have formulated a draft guideline to make sure competent officers with repute get the posts they deserve.
According to the guideline formulated by the Police Headquarters, all tier of the force will have “fit lists” in which competent officers would be included upon evaluation of their annual confidential and disciplinary reports and some other criteria.
All transfers and promotions, including to the coveted posts of superintendents of police in districts and officers-in-charge of police stations, will be made from the “fit lists”, according to a copy of the draft this paper obtained.
Two committees led by top police officials will prepare the “fit list”.
The guideline also outlined how long an officer could serve at a post.
Policy Group, the highest policy-making body of police, okayed the draft on principle on May 21 last year at a meeting with Inspector General of Police Mohammad Javed Patwary in the chair.
“Framing of a guideline on postings is necessary for increasing competency, gaining experience, bringing dynamism, and ensuring quality services ... ,” read the preface of the draft.
“The guideline is at the final stage of implementation,” Dhaka Metro-politan Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam, a member of the Policy Group, told The Daily Star.
The draft said officers, who have their last five years’ annual report clean and satisfactory disciplinary report throughout their career, would make it to the “fit list”.
Lobbying would be considered a reason for disqualification, the draft said.
The PHQ would consider an officer’s skill, competence, honesty, and reputation before making them range deputy inspectors general and metropolitan police commissioners.
A section of officers said the plans would not work until police are allowed to work without political interference.
The home ministry now authorises postings of officers from SP and above ranks following recommendation by the PHQ.
Once the guideline is finalised, the PHQ would propose names of officers from the “fit list”, an officer involved in the making of the draft said.
“It’s up to the ministry whether it would accept the officer recommended,” he said, adding that usually the ministry accepts the PHQ recommendations.
Asked whether the guideline needs approval of the ministry concerned, DMP Commissioner Shafiqul said, “The home minister and secretary should be aware of the policy. They should know that the it does not support lobbying.”
Former IGP Nur Mohammad said, “If posts are given following the guideline, no one will be disappointed. Presently some people at the top are getting posts in different districts depriving good officers who work silently.”
The guideline will also pave the way for brilliant officers, now serving in remote areas, to get good posts, he said.
Nur Mohammad, now a ruling party lawmaker, also said, “In a country like ours, political intervention is a big issue. So, it’s success will depend on the government’s intention.”
THE GUIDELINE
An officer will be recommended for posts as a range DIG and a metropolitan commissioner once. If an officer serves less than a year at a range or metropolitan city, they can be recommended again for the posts. But, if an officer is transferred for inefficiency, corruption, physical inability, and moral turpitude, they will not be recommended.
An eight-member committee led by the IGP will make a list of competent SP-level officers. The other members of the committee are additional IG (admin & ops), DG (Rab), commissioner (DMP), additional IGs of Special Branch and Criminal Investigation Department, DIG (admin & discipline) and additional DIG (personnel management-1).
For the “fit list”, the age limit for a BCS police cadre is 50 and for a departmental officer, it is 54.
An officer will serve as SP at two districts and for no more than five years.
Officers who completed training course at Staff College and Special Branch will get priority and those having higher training at home or abroad will be will also get priority.
Another eight-member committee led by additional IGP (admin and ops) will select OCs from the list officers who had worked as inspectors for at least three years.
Other members of the committee are: the DMP commissioner, additional IG of SB, DIG (admin and discipline), DIG (Dhaka range), additional DIG (organisation and management), AIG (recruitment and career planning) and AIG (personnel management-2) of the PHQ.
Any officer given a major punishment will not be included in the “fit list”. An officer will not be allowed to serve as OC for more than eight years or at more than four police stations.
The guidelines also mentioned in details about how postings of additional SPs or additional deputy commissioners, assistant SPs or assistant commissioners, sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors and constables will take place.
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