Field officers disappointed with Police Reform Commission’s recommendations

Field-level police officers have expressed disappointment over the Police Reform Commission's recommendations, stating that the proposals fail to address critical issues such as disobeying unlawful orders from senior officers and the slow pace of promotions compared to lower-ranking personnel.

According to these officers, the Annual Confidential Report (ACR) system, a performance evaluation report written by immediate superior, makes them dependent on senior officials, limiting their ability to act independently. 

Besides, they alleged that supervising officers often influence the report, compromising neutrality, yet face no accountability.

Meanwhile, former police officers said the recruitment process needs to be revised, suggesting transitioning from a three-tier recruitment system to a two-tier one to reduce promotion-related complexities.

A detective branch sub-inspector said senior officers sometimes issue politically motivated orders and mid-level officers feel compelled to comply due to the risk of receiving negative ACR.

Since promotions are already rare, a negative report could halt career advancement, he told The Business Standard on the condition of anonymity. 

"Our ACRs are evaluated by senior officers, which is understandable. But if subordinates were allowed to provide feedback assessing superiors, it would enhance accountability in the force," he suggested.

An inspector from the Chattogram Metropolitan Police told TBS that while sub-inspectors and inspectors conduct most investigations, senior officers oversee the process and frequently influence outcomes.

"We are held accountable in court for our investigations, but senior officers who interfere in cases face no accountability. We had expected clear recommendations on this issue, but the commission did not address it," he said.

No officers were willing to be named while discussing the reform proposals.  

The Police Reform Commission, chaired by former bureaucrat Safar Raj Hossain, submitted its recommendations to the chief adviser on 15 January, with proposals such as forming an independent police commission, increasing female recruitment and regulating the use of force. 

However, it does not provide any recommendations on disobeying unlawful orders from superiors or addressing the slower promotion rate for field-level officers.

Commission chief Safar Raj Hossain was unavailable despite multiple attempts to reach him by phone.

Slow promotion

An inspector at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) told The Business Standard (TBS) that he has served in the police force for 15-16 years but has received only one promotion. 

"With 15 years left in my career, I doubt if I will receive another promotion," he said on condition of anonymity.  

"Most sub-inspectors retire with just one promotion. It takes 10-12 years to be promoted from sub-inspector to inspector, but very few inspectors ever reach the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police. Many of us have 14-15 years left in service, yet the chances of further promotion are slim," he added.

He also pointed out that constables receive more promotions than sub-inspectors.

Two-tier recruitment system

Meanwhile, the BNP on 5 December submitted its recommendations to the commission. Ashraful Huda, member of the party's committee on police reform, said there is no need to change the ACR system.

"Besides, subordinates should not evaluate their superiors. Currently, except for the IGP, all officers' ACRs are prepared by their immediate superiors," said Huda, a former inspector general of police. 

The BNP also recommended reducing the existing three-tier police recruitment system to a two-tier structure to resolve promotion-related challenges.

Huda said implementing a two-tier system would reduce promotion stagnation for sub-inspectors.

Nur Mohammad, a former IGP, supported the reduction of the recruitment tiers but disagreed that senior officers frequently interfere in investigations.

"The commission drafted its recommendations in a short time, and they are not final yet. The government will discuss these proposals with stakeholders before finalising them, so additional issues may be addressed later," he said.

He stressed that the key aspect of police reform should be eliminating political influence, stating, "True reform can only happen if the police force is freed from political interference. That is the most crucial factor."