Police insignia up for changes

The age-old silver oak leaf embroidery on IGP's collar patch is likely to be replaced with a new design, as a proposal for changes to the collar patches, rank badges, peak caps, cap badges, berets, and belts of the force is under consideration at the home ministry.

The new collar patch of the inspector general of police (IGP) will have three silver embroidered stars in the middle part and a silver embroidered water lily surrounded by wheat and paddy wreaths at the bottom end.

However, the top end of the patch that features a silver metallic button having Bangladesh Police monogram on it will remain unchanged, according to the proposal.

Police officials said IGPs had been wearing the oak leaf embroidery in the collar patch since the inception of the force.

Changes were proposed in at least eight out of the total 14 ranks in Bangladesh Police.

Sources at the Police Headquarters said the force sent official documents to the home ministry describing the changes early this year. A meeting on this will be held today at the ministry, the sources added.

Talking to The Daily Star by phone, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan said, “We will implement it as soon as possible.”

Once the proposal is implemented, additional IGPs of grade-1 will also see a change in their collar patches. At present additional IGPs of grade-1 and the IGP wear the same collar patch.

The changed collar patches of additional IGPs will see a star missing but all other features will remain same to that of the new IGP collar patch.

The eight ranks where changes were proposed are naik, havilder major, assistant sub-inspector, sub-inspector, inspector, assistant superintendent of police (ASP), additional IGPs of grade-1, and the IGP.

Among others, the ranks of superintendent of police (SP) and deputy IGP will see no change.