'Zero tolerance' for graft in police force; offenders to face dismissal, criminal cases: Salahuddin

The government has adopted a "zero-tolerance" policy against corruption and irregularities in the police force, with departmental action, dismissal or suspension and criminal cases under the law against those involved, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said today (27 August).

"Departmental investigations are being conducted against police personnel involved in corruption and irregularities," he told parliament in reply to a question from Jamaat lawmaker Md Abdul Gafur of Kushtia-2.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad chaired the sitting, and the minister's reply was tabled in the Parliament.

The government has also strengthened the activities of specialised police units to increase oversight of police personnel, the home minister said.

It has taken initiatives to bring various police services online to stop direct financial transactions between police and service recipients, he said, adding that these include police clearance certificates, traffic fine payments, online general diaries and other public services.

He also said a complaint cell has been introduced so that members of the public can report police irregularities and corruption without revealing their identities.

Ability, merit and qualifications were being considered as criteria for recruitment and promotion in the police to ensure transparency, he added.

Modern technology and equipment, including body-worn cameras, are also being used to improve transparency and accountability in policing, the minister said.

He also said the government had taken initiatives to amend various provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure to prevent torture in police custody and abuse of power.

The government also plans to amend laws dating back to the colonial period, he added.

The home minister further said police training centres have introduced ethical education alongside basic training to strengthen integrity among members of the force.