New IGP vows pro-people police force

Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hassan Mahmood Khandker has vowed to restore the image of police department and make the force pro-people.
"I'll try my best to make sure that the police force is no longer used as a repressing force", he said, adding, "I'll endeavor to discharge my duties with sincerity and earnestness."
The new IGP, also the outgoing director general of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), said these at a press briefing at the Police Headquarters after he took over the charges from the departing police chief Nur Mohammad yesterday.
The government on Monday had appointed Hassan Mahmood as the new IGP and Rajshahi range deputy inspector general (DIG) of police Mohammad Mukhlesur Rahman as the new Rab DG.
Replying to a query, Hassan Mahmood said implementation of the police reform programme is an ongoing process and that he will try to continue it in cooperation with the government.
Asked about irregularities in police department, he observed that there are a few persons in every department of the government who are involved in corruption and irregularities.
"I'll try to check such illicit activities and if anybody is found guilty, he would be punished," Mahmood cautioned.
Hailing from Peergachha upazila of Rangpur, Hassan Mahmood joined the police department in 1984 as a member of the BCS (Bangladesh Civil Service) cadre of the 1982 batch.
He completed his honours and master's degrees in English from the University of Dhaka. He was appointed as the Rab DG during the immediate past caretaker government in February 2007.
Sources said before handing over the charges, departing IGP Nur Mohammad held a meeting with the new IGP where additional IGPs Javed Patwary and Naim Ahmed and other senior police personnel were present.
According to the meeting sources, Nur Mohammad asked the police personnel to be vocal and active to realise the demands of the police department.
Nur Mohammad, who played a crucial role following the BDR mutiny last year, has been attached to the foreign ministry. He served as the IGP since January 29, 2007.