It is high time to bring reforms to police

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Mohammad yesterday said it is high time to bring radical reforms to the police force to make it a service-oriented institution.
Most previous governments had used the police for their own interests, but the law enforcement agency has become more transparent and disciplined after 1/11, he said while exchanging views with NGO leaders at the Police Headquarters in the city.
The IGP also said that no policeman would be spared if found involved in crimes.
The Police Headquarters organised the meeting to exchange views on the draft of Bangladesh Police Ordinance 2007.
IGP Nur Mohammad said, "In the past, every government had spoken of the need to bring about radical reforms in the police but did not take steps to this end."
He also said some vested quarters had earlier collected some Tk 100 crore to Tk 150 crore in the name of recruitment in the police force. However, the recruitment process was halted during this government, he added.
The police have now greater power, he said, adding that they now need proper training and incentives.
Explaining various activities of the police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Naim Ahmed said the reforms are aimed at turning the police forces into a service-oriented institution.
Director General of Rapid Action Battalion Hasan Mahmud Khandakar, chiefs of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Branch (SB) and Detective Branch (DB), and several senior police officials were present at the meeting.
Representatives from Grameen Bank, ActionAid, Karitas, Proshika, Acid Survivors' Foundation, Ain O Shalish Kendra, Bangladesh Manabadhikar Samannaya Parishad, Democracy Watch, Shishu Odhikar Foundation and Blind Education took part in the discussion.
The NGO leaders said the law enforcement agencies are violating human rights through extra-judicial killings, crossfire and illegal arrest.
They also sought cooperation from the police in carrying out their activities.