Code of conduct soon for community police

Community police are planning to set up a complaint box to address the allegations of misconduct against government officials and ensure necessary lawful actions in this regard.

They have also planned to create awareness against smuggling, food adulteration and corruption. As a part of ensuring “best practice” to prevent crime and maintain law and order, they have undertaken the work plan.

Police Headquarters (PHQ) prepared the work plan marking Community Policing Day, to be observed across the country on Saturday, Sahely Ferdous, assistant inspector general of PHQ (crime prevention cell), told The Daily Star yesterday.

The other plans include: ensuring area-based security by forming a team (8-10 members) and creating awareness through religious scholars on child marriage and false interpretation of religions.

According to PHQ database, there are around 60,000 community police committees, which have around 11.13 lakh community police members (CPM).

From July 2018 to June this year, community police have solved around 80,000 disputes, including family issues and conflicts centring lands, said AIG Ferdous.

They also helped law enforcers arrest some 27,173 accused, she said, adding that they have achieved major successes in combating narcotics smuggling in Ukhia of Cox’s Bazar with the help of CPM.

Sahely further said for the first time, they are planning to form a “code of conduct” for the CPM to specify their role.

“We have received complaints that some CPM misuse power,” she said. “The code of conduct will give a clear idea of what a community police will be able to do and what will dissolve their memberships.” Police have also taken some strict measures to select the CPM, she added.

Bangladesh police started observing the day since 2017. Last year, the day was not observed for security reasons ahead of the national election.