PBI seeks 5,000 more personnel, own buildings to boost nationwide operations

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), a specialized unit of Bangladesh Police, has proposed a major expansion plan seeking over 5,000 additional personnel and the construction of its own office buildings to enhance operational efficiency across the country.

PBI Chief and Additional Inspector General Md Mustafa Kamal said the proposals were submitted to the Home Ministry several months ago to address existing capacity and infrastructure constraints.

"We have sent two separate proposals to increase manpower and construct permanent office buildings so that the PBI can perform its duties with greater dynamism and efficiency," he said while speaking to BSS today (28 April).

Established in 2012 to handle high-tech, complex, and high-profile criminal cases, the PBI currently operates from rented premises in 42 districts, creating logistical and operational challenges.

The unit now aims to expand its presence to all 64 districts.

According to Kamal, the unit has already identified 20 government locations for constructing permanent office buildings.

A formal proposal to initiate this infrastructure project was submitted to the Home Ministry five months ago.

"We have to face numerous challenges in operating PBI activities in rented buildings," he noted.

Highlighting manpower shortages, Kamal said another proposal was sent requesting over 5,000 additional personnel to ensure smooth and effective nationwide operations.

At present, the PBI operates with a total workforce of 2,031 personnel.

This includes one additional inspector general, two deputy inspectors general (DIGs), five additional DIGs, 49 SSPs, 28 Additional SSPs, eight ASPs, 320 inspectors, two inspectors (AB), five sergeants, 478 sub-inspectors (UB), five SIs (AB), 330 ASIs (UB), five ASIs (AB), 20 Nayaks, and 622 Constables.

The unit's transport resources include 14 jeeps (SUVs), 71 pickups, four microbuses, two trucks, one bus, one bomb disposal van, two crime scene management vans, one high-risk operation van, 190 motorcycles, one car, eight taxicabs, one prison van, and seven ambulances.

Notably, during its initial phase, the PBI started operations with only 970 personnel.

"Once we get the desired manpower and our own buildings, the PBI will be able to work more efficiently and ensure global standard investigations in sensational cases," Kamal added.

He emphasized the unit's commitment to professional investigations aligned with international standards in crime scene management, evidence collection, and timely case disposal.

"This ensures offenders are brought before the court without unnecessary delay, allowing victims to receive justice and strengthening the rule of law," he said.

In a high-level meeting chaired by the Inspector General of Police on 19 April, it was decided to formally place a proposal before Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during the upcoming Police Week.

The proposal will seek approval for increased manpower and the construction of PBI's own office buildings nationwide, according to an official familiar with the matter.

The PBI was formally established on 18 September, 2012, with a mandate to investigate complex and high-profile criminal cases across Bangladesh.

Effective investigation of registered cases plays a crucial role in the criminal justice system, and the PBI was created to uphold professionalism and strengthen the rule of law.

To enhance its capabilities, the PBI has also set up a Specialized Investigation & Operations (SI&O) unit at its headquarters.

This unit comprises highly trained officers equipped with modern technology to operate the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and investigate cybercrime, organized crime, and transnational offenses.

The unit officially began its investigative operations on 10 June, 2015, taking up a case by court order in Narsingdi.

The investigation was conducted with high professionalism, and the report submitted to the court met international standards.