People must support police for their own safety: IGP

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir has sought public cooperation to make the police stronger and people-friendly, saying that unless the police are strengthened, nobody will be able to move around the society comfortably.

He said everyone’s cooperation is needed to build the Bangladesh Police into a humane and friendly force.

The IGP made the remarks while speaking to local journalists after delivering his address as the chief guest at a community policing rally organized by Bagerhat District Police at noon on Sunday.

The rally was held at the new Police Lines, with Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Md Jamirul Islam in the chair. Khulna Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Md. Rezaul Karim and Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md. Baten attended the event as special guests. Local dignitaries, members of community policing committees and people from various walks of life were also present.

The IGP said the current government had taken initiatives to develop the police into a modern force. He expressed hope that the existing problems would be resolved soon through these government initiatives.

He said the police currently have approximately 2,500 fewer vehicles than the number approved under the Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E). He added that the number of vehicles aged between eight and 20 years is also substantial. The government has undertaken a new project to purchase 5,800 vehicles, which has been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

The IGP said the shortage of police personnel could not be resolved overnight. At least 15,000 personnel would be recruited every year, he said, expressing confidence that both manpower and logistical shortages would gradually be overcome. What is needed now, he added, is cooperation from general people.

He urged people from all sections of society to support the police instead of joining or instigating mob activities.

The police chief said economic development was essential to improving people’s living standards. He noted that unemployment remained a challenge, with an additional 25 to 30 lakh educated unemployed people joining the ranks of job seekers every year.

He said the police maintained a “zero tolerance” policy against drugs as part of efforts to rehabilitate those affected by unemployment and other social problems. Through community policing, he added, authorities could address 15 issues, including child marriage, juvenile gangs, drug abuse, corruption and improving living standards.

The IGP said a committee comprising Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) and officers-in-charge (OCs) of police stations had already been formed to eliminate juvenile gangs. The initiative would subsequently be expanded to the union level, he added.

“People in the local communities know who the troublemakers are, where they are and in which neighbourhoods drugs are consumed. Please cooperate with the police, and we will be able to give you a peaceful Bangladesh,” he said.

In response to a question from journalists, the IGP said anyone willing to work voluntarily to establish peace in society would be included in community policing committees.

Later, the IGP exchanged views with police officers and members at a special welfare meeting organized by the district police at the drill shed of the District Police Lines.