Police must be held accountable for every action

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the policemen to build themselves as members of a pro-people force as their duty towards people is enormous.

“You must always remember that you are the members of the police force of independent Bangladesh.... Your duty towards people is enormous. That's why you will have to build yourselves as pro-people individuals,” she said.

Hasina was addressing a programme marking the inauguration of the Police Week-2018 at Dhaka Metropolitan Police Lines in Rajarbagh.

Describing the Bangladesh Police as a symbol of peace, security and discipline, she hoped each and every police member would carry out his duties properly, and come forward in aid of the helpless and distressed people.

She said the policemen have to ensure accountability in every work. “The IGP Complaint Cell has already been set up at the Police Headquarters. I hope this will play an effective role in ensuring professional accountability of the police personnel.”

The PM asked the policemen to achieve greater efficiency in technology to hunt down transnational criminals and those involved in money laundering and cybercrime.

“I hope the police will take steps over newer technologies for crime data management and citizen information management system software to control and contain crimes and identify criminals.”

Hasina assured the force of providing its members with proper training at home and abroad to enhance their capability to deal with science-based investigations and improve their ICT skills.

She said the members of the force were carrying out their duties in all critical moments with courage, sincerity, efficiency and professionalism.

Referring to Gulshan and Sholakia terror attacks in 2016, she said her government has been able to create awareness against terrorism and militancy through involving families, women, mass media and religious leaders at the grassroots level. “We've been able to contain such social menaces with an iron hand.”

The people would always remember with respect and gratitude the contributions and sacrifices of the policemen who were killed while on duty to resist terrorism, killing, arson attacks, and vandalism by BNP-Jamaat men and their cohorts, and also during anti-terrorism drives, she added.

Hasina referred to the formation of the police's anti-terrorism unit to boost the capability of the force in stamping out terrorism. She hoped that the unit would continue to play its effective role in eradicating the menace as well as bringing the patrons of terrorists to book.

Mentioning that a stable law and order situation is a prerequisite for development, the premier said her government considers allocation of money in this sector as an investment, not expenses.

She appreciated the introduction of online police clearance service, mobile apps Bd Police Helpline, e-traffic prosecution and fine payment systems and National Emergency Service-999.

She called upon all to work together to build the country as the most developed and prosperous one in South Asia as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

This year's Police Week began with the motto “Remedy of Militancy and Drugs: Commitment of Bangladesh Police”.

Hasina reviewed a parade of different contingents of the police. She handed over awards to 182 police personnel for their outstanding performance in 2017.

Of the awardees, 30 received Bangladesh Police Medal, 71 President Police Medal, 28 Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM-Service) and 53 President Police Medal (PPM-Service).

The premier also inaugurated the newly-constructed police auditorium at Rajarbagh and visited some stalls of Police Nari Kalyan Samiti.

On her arrival at the venue, she was received by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque.