The Bangladesh Police Association, a group of all the high- and low-ranking police officers, on Tuesday called for reforming the force as it has always been coerced into following unjust orders of political parties.

In the recent past, police personnel had to shoot at students and other commoners against their will for fulfilling the ill-driven political goals of the ruling authoritarian party, the association said in a notification.

The current police officers are seeking forgiveness for the wrongs the force has done to the students over the past few weeks, the notification read adding the officers fully support holding fair trial against the misdeeds done by their colleagues.

First and foremost, the association congratulates all the “soldiers” of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement for driving out a dictator from the country, referring to ousted premier Sheikh Hasina.

The association also prayed for the eternal peace of those souls martyred in the fight against fascism, and the speedy recovery of the injured.

But the officers are also victims of fascism that had for years constricted their right to speak freely and their access to equal opportunities.