Why is police transformation critical for Bangladesh?

Bangladesh stands at a crucial crossroads. After the uprising in July-August 2024, Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. The political change that led to Mohammed Yunus becoming the head of the interim government signals that the demand for change can no longer be prevented. Initially triggered by job quota complaints, these protests quickly evolved into a nationwide call for justice, accountability, and systemic reform.

The role of the police force in the uprising was undeniable. Hundreds of people lost their lives, mostly due to heavy-handed tactics by law enforcement, increasing public anger and distrust. This is not new. For years, Bangladesh’s police force has been seen as an arm of political repression rather than a protector of the people. This system has long prioritized control over community participation, fostering an environment of systemic dysfunction and division. Allegations of extrajudicial killings have led to enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests have continually eroded public trust. Police, who are charged to serve and protect, are often seen as supporting a narrow political agenda at the expense of human rights and justice; This is a harsh reality that Bangladesh can no longer ignore.

Unrest during the revolution also claimed the lives of police officers; This is a tragic reminder of the yawning gulf between law enforcement and the people they are sworn to protect. These deaths reveal that police officers are often trapped in a cycle of violence and distrust, working in a high-pressure environment with inadequate resources, inadequate training, and excessive working hours; These factors have a detrimental effect on the overall effectiveness and morale of the police. Force, as highlighted in the 11-article request submitted by police personnel in August 2024.

But every crisis presents an opportunity. The recent establishment of the Police Reform Commission is a vital first step, but this alone is not enough. The path forward requires permanent, transformative change; a change that penetrates deeply into the core of police culture, behaviour, structure and laws. What happened in July and August made it clear that the current situation of the police force could not continue. The question we need to ask now is: How can we make this reform meaningful, sustainable and able to rebuild trust between the police and the public?

At the heart of police reform in Bangladesh is the urgent need to move away from the outdated colonial-era Police Act of 1861, which prioritized control over service. In 2007 and 2013, the UN supported the drafting of a new Police Regulation as part of a police reform project that ran from 2006 to 2016. This draft regulation promoted democratic, citizen-centered policing and emphasized public oversight and accountability. an independent Police Commission and a formal complaints mechanism to report abuse. However, despite his promise, the draft regulation and review of the law in 2013 stalled at the political level.

A new legal framework for policing can provide a strong foundation for transforming Bangladesh’s police force into a professional, accountable and effective service. This will build sustainable systems that prevent abuse, protect vulnerable citizens and strengthen the relationship of trust between the police and the communities they serve.

The aim of police reform in Bangladesh should be to create a force that is democratic, people-centred and responsive to the diverse security needs of society. This will require a complete overhaul of the current system, from legal frameworks to police welfare, institutional strengthening, training and community engagement practices. The police should be seen as the protector of public safety and human rights. This reform also requires a systematic approach, and the Anti-Corruption Reform Commission and the Judicial Reform Commission will also be effective in shaping the police force.

Reform must result in a force that serves all people equally regardless of political affiliation, gender, ethnicity or social status. Professionalism, integrity and impartiality must guide every action and ensure that the police protect all citizens, especially those most vulnerable to abuse.

Human rights must be built into the fabric of police operations. This is not just about preventing extrajudicial killings or arbitrary detentions; It is about ensuring that any interaction between the police and the public is based on respect for human dignity and the rule of law.

Finally, accountability should be a priority. Police must be held to the highest standards of conduct and breaches must be met with swift and impartial justice. It is essential to establish independent auditing bodies to ensure transparency and true accountability.

Bangladesh is not alone in the fight for police reform. The UN has supported police reform efforts in many countries, including Nigeria, Pakistan, Iraq, and Kenya; these countries have similarly politicized policing and public distrust. In these countries, as is now the case in Bangladesh, public demands are vital in calling for the establishment of independent oversight mechanisms that will hold the police accountable and ensure that reports of misconduct are investigated without interference.

The reforms focused on making the police more responsive to the needs of the public, especially on issues such as gender-based violence, and on protecting the most vulnerable, especially women and children. Community policing has proven to be an important method of rebuilding trust. By engaging directly with local communities, police forces become more responsive and effective and gain critical insight into the challenges people face.

While Bangladesh can learn from international experiences, it must adapt its reform to its own context. The 2006-2016 Police Reform Program offers valuable lessons. Although he improved education and professionalized certain aspects of the force, he also highlighted deep-seated political challenges that impeded sustainable reform. An important conclusion from this experience is that sustained political will and genuine public participation are essential to achieving lasting change.

Public participation should be at the heart of the reform process, not an afterthought. In a country like Bangladesh, where youth-led activism has made clear that the status quo is no longer acceptable, youth voices must shape the future of law enforcement. Nationwide dialogues with students, women, marginalized communities, and victims of police misconduct will ensure an inclusive reform process that reflects the aspirations of all Bangladeshis. Trust cannot be rebuilt alone; It should be based on transparent and open communication between the police and the public.

Now is the time for police reform in Bangladesh. The interim government led by Dr Yunus took an important first step by establishing the Police Reform Commission. But real reform requires more than political will; It requires the active participation of civil society, the international community and, above all, the people of Bangladesh.

The UN is committed to supporting this transformative journey. Our experience in other countries shows that meaningful reform is possible; but this requires collective effort guided by transparency, accountability and public participation. This is a unique opportunity for Bangladesh to not only reform the police force but also reimagine the role of law enforcement in society. Let us seize this moment to create a future where justice, safety and dignity define the relationship between police and the people they protect.

Gwyn Lewis He is the resident coordinator of the United Nations in Bangladesh.

Stefan Liller He is the resident representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Bangladesh.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author.

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