Auxiliary Police Force: A step toward better security or a risk of misuse? | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
June 12, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
Auxiliary Police Force: A step toward better security or a risk of misuse?

Panorama

Ariful Hasan Shuvo
09 March, 2025, 06:55 pm
Last modified: 10 March, 2025, 01:19 am

Related News

  • DU student allegedly hangs himself following threats over old derogatory comment about Prophet on Facebook
  • Committee formed to prevent ordinary police from carrying lethal weapons
  • Motijheel police SI killed as bus hits his motorcycle in Khilgaon
  • 2 beaten to death on suspicion of being muggers in Dhaka's Beribadh
  • Beware of fraudsters impersonating police officers: Police HQ

Auxiliary Police Force: A step toward better security or a risk of misuse?

DMP plans to deploy private security personnel as an auxiliary force to tackle rising crime. However, the move raises concerns about accountability and potential misuse

Ariful Hasan Shuvo
09 March, 2025, 06:55 pm
Last modified: 10 March, 2025, 01:19 am
Many officers will be taking leave during Eid, according to DMP commissioner Sajjat Ali. Photo: TBS
Many officers will be taking leave during Eid, according to DMP commissioner Sajjat Ali. Photo: TBS

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali announced in a press conference on Saturday that they would deploy private security personnel as an 'auxiliary force' alongside the police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure security in various shopping malls and residential areas of the capital.

The term "auxiliary force" refers not to a full-fledged force, but rather a semi-governmental force. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1976 already permits the use of such forces to assist the police.

Such a decision comes at a time when the country's law and order has collapsed. In recent weeks, crimes like robbery, mugging, snatching, and mob violence have surged, sparking public outcry.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The DMP Commissioner mentioned that when on duty alone, they will have the authority to detain or arrest individuals like the police. Officials also confirmed to TBS that such personnel will not be given any weapons.

However, the decision has sparked debate and criticism. The question is: Can this auxiliary force truly assist the police in improving the country's law and order situation? Or will it create opportunities for misuse and further escalate chaos?

The DMP Commissioner said, "Under the Metropolitan Police Act, I have the authority to recruit an auxiliary police force. Accordingly, I am appointing private security personnel as an auxiliary police force."

Indeed he has. According to The Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1976, the police commissioner may appoint any person to be an auxiliary police-officer to assist the force on any occasion when he is of opinion that the force is in need of such assistance.

The ordinance says every auxiliary police-officer will have the same powers and immunities, be liable to perform the same duties, be amenable to the same penalties and be subject to the same authority as any other police-officer, as per the ordinance.

However, the ordinance does not clearly specify whether they are allowed to be provided with any weapons.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammad Nurul Huda welcomed the decision. He sees it as a positive step amid the country's deteriorating law and order situation.

"This is a demand of the current situation. There is nothing wrong with it," he told The Business Standard.

"However, it is important to ensure that they have proper training," he noted.

The former IGP mentioned that there are similar precedents in many countries around the world. In the United Kingdom, such auxiliary forces are used. For a short period, they can be effective in maintaining law and order.

However, the concept is not completely new for Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Ansar force was previously given police powers, but in recent times, no similar auxiliary force has been deployed to maintain law and order.

When asked about who would be eligible to be an auxiliary police force member, the former IGP said, "The key point is that the selected private individual must meet the same qualifications or training officially prescribed for the desired rank."

The question of misuse applies equally to everyone. This could also apply to the regular police force. The main authority will definitely remain with the DMP. The auxiliary force must be held accountable, as supervision is always necessary.

Nurul Huda, Former IGP

A major concern among the public is whether the auxiliary force could be misused. Nurul Huda said "The question of misuse applies equally to everyone. This could also apply to the regular police force. The main authority will definitely remain with the DMP. The auxiliary force must be held accountable, as supervision is always necessary."

The DMP's decision is primarily aimed at Ramadan and the upcoming Eid. According to the DMP, markets and shopping malls in Dhaka remain open late into the night during this period. However, there is a shortage of police personnel to handle security. 

During Taraweeh prayers, many alleys and streets in Dhaka become deserted. Additionally, many police officers will be on leave as well. To ensure security, private security personnel will primarily serve as the auxiliary police force.

However, Supreme Court lawyer Dr Qazi Zahed Iqbal believes that this decision further exposes the police's failure in maintaining law and order.

"Equipping the auxiliary force with proper training is a time-consuming process. Taking such an initiative abruptly is dangerous as it leaves room for misuse. If it were a government-established force like Ansar, it would be a different case," he said.

"If Ansar has not been given arrest authority yet, why should this force be granted it?," he questioned.

Beyond training and legal knowledge, he says, their integrity is also a major concern. It is crucial to monitor whether they are influenced by any private entities.

However, the police have not yet specified when this auxiliary force will be deployed on the streets. It has been announced that work on this is underway by the DMP. 

Ariful Hasan Shuvo. Sketch: TBS
Ariful Hasan Shuvo. Sketch: TBS

 

Analysis / Top News

police

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Govt to set up Debt Office as loan burden to hit Tk29 lakh cr by FY28
    Govt to set up Debt Office as loan burden to hit Tk29 lakh cr by FY28
  • UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade Jonathan Reynolds meets Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on 11 June 2025. Photo: UNB
    UK reaffirms support for Bangladesh's initiatives to recover siphoned off money
  • File photo of Shafiqul Alam. Photo: Collected
    Prof Yunus to receive Harmony Award from King Charles today

MOST VIEWED

  • File photo of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Photo: Collected
    Joy spends Eid with Hasina in India: Indian media
  • Infofgraphics: TBS
    DGHS issues 11-point directive to prevent spread of Covid-19 in Bangladesh
  • Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    UK crime agency now freezes assets of ex-land minister Saifuzzaman: AJ
  • File photo of BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    Khasru flies to London ahead of Yunus-Tarique meeting
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus speaks at the Chatham House in London on 11 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    No desire to be part of next elected govt: CA Yunus
  • Illustration: Khandaker Abidur Rahman/TBS
    Three hospitals ‘held hostage’ as discharged July uprising injured keep occupying beds

Related News

  • DU student allegedly hangs himself following threats over old derogatory comment about Prophet on Facebook
  • Committee formed to prevent ordinary police from carrying lethal weapons
  • Motijheel police SI killed as bus hits his motorcycle in Khilgaon
  • 2 beaten to death on suspicion of being muggers in Dhaka's Beribadh
  • Beware of fraudsters impersonating police officers: Police HQ

Features

Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

15h | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

1d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

3d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

4d | Bangladesh

More Videos from TBS

Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

12h | TBS Stories
What did Dr. Yunus say at the Chatham House Dialogue in London?

What did Dr. Yunus say at the Chatham House Dialogue in London?

13h | TBS Today
News of The Day, 11 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 11 JUNE 2025

14h | TBS News of the day
WB predicts worst decade for global growth since 60s

WB predicts worst decade for global growth since 60s

16h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net