Police reform won't succeed without changes in intelligence agencies: Iftekharuzzaman
Culture of political influence in admin remains unchanged even after uprising
The ongoing police reform efforts will not succeed unless the country's intelligence and surveillance agencies are also reformed, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman has said.
"The culture of political influence in the administration remains unchanged even after the mass uprising of 2024," he said at a roundtable titled "Bangladesh Police Reform: Challenges and Way Forward" held at the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, today, reports Prothom Alo.
"From recruitment and promotion to case trading, arrest and bail trading – it all continues. There is no doubt about that, and it will continue," he added.
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"If we can't overhaul intelligence units and other security agencies, not only police reform but no reform will ever be achieved," Dr Iftekharuzzaman said.
He added that the government plans to introduce new police uniforms from November but stressed that improving housing and working conditions for officers is more important.
Referring to a police barrack in Mirpur, he said, "There is one bathroom for 200 personnel; 20 people sleep in a 60-square-foot room."
Dr Iftekharuzzaman noted that not only political influence but also internal factors are responsible for such conditions. "Is a new uniform more important than improving their living conditions?" he asked.
Commenting on police using excessive force during the tenure of the ousted Awami League government, he said, "The police weren't only used – they also enjoyed it."
Senior officers, he added, had benefited from this power. "So, alongside structural changes, mental reform is equally essential."
The roundtable was jointly organised by Prothom Alo and the Bangladesh Retired Police Officers Welfare Association. Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman delivered the welcome address.
The discussion was also attended by Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, IGP Baharul Alam, former IGP Nurul Huda, Police Reform Commission member Shahnaz Huda, Bangladesh Retired Police Officers' Welfare Association President M Akbar Ali, and human rights activist Nur Khan Liton.
