IGP directs police not to leave workplaces, lobby at home ministry without permission

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir has instructed police personnel not to leave their workplaces and lobby at the Ministry of Home Affairs on various issues without permission.

In a directive issued by the Police Headquarters, signed by the IGP, yesterday (9 March), it stated that some members of the Bangladesh Police have been leaving their offices during working hours without approval from their controlling authorities and going to the ministry to make requests regarding different matters.

The directive noted that the issue has recently come to the attention of higher authorities.

"Such lobbying activities are causing inconvenience to senior officials at the ministry. Besides harming the image of the police force, these actions are also disrupting routine government work," it added.

According to the directive, the ministry has decided to discourage such practices. The matter had earlier been communicated to all police units and superintendents of police through a memorandum from the Ministry of Home Affairs and a previous directive from Police Headquarters.

However, similar incidents have continued to occur, prompting the issuance of the new instruction.

The directive clearly states that no police member will be allowed to leave their workplace without permission from the controlling authority. Police personnel have also been asked to refrain from visiting the ministry for unnecessary lobbying related to promotions or other matters.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Police Headquarters spokesperson and Assistant Inspector General (AIG) AHM Shahadat Hossain said, "Staying at a ministry or important government office during working hours without permission is contrary to administrative discipline."

He informed that the letter was issued to remind police members to follow proper procedures and obtain approval from the relevant authorities before leaving their workplace.