'Election an opportunity for police to rebuild public trust'

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam today said the upcoming national election will be a major challenge for Bangladesh Police, but the force is capable of handling it.

"The election also presents a significant opportunity for the police to overcome the negative image created surrounding past elections. We must seize this opportunity and work sincerely to earn the trust of the people," he added.

The IGP made the remarks while presiding over a special crime review meeting held at the Hall of Pride in the Police Headquarters.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman, Special Branch (SB) Chief Golam Rasul, additional IGPs, heads of various Dhaka-based police units, police commissioners, and range deputy inspector generals (DIGs) attended the meeting.

All superintendents of police (SPs) from different districts joined virtually.

During the meeting, Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Khondoker Rafiqul Islam presented an overview of the country's law and order and crime situation.

The police chief instructed officers to intensify efforts to recover looted firearms ahead of the election and emphasised the importance of gathering intelligence information.

He also stressed the need to raise awareness about the rewards announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs for recovering illegal weapons.

The IGP directed unit heads to conduct the ongoing election-related police training programmes with utmost diligence.

In addition, he urged SPs to ensure the timely issuance of police clearance certificates without causing any harassment.

Besides, he instructed field-level officers to register cases based on complaints submitted to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.

The IGP further directed officers to give special attention to the investigation and disposal of cases filed over the anti-discrimination movement, underscoring the need to improve the quality of investigations.

Officers present at the meeting and those connected online exchanged views with the IGP on various administrative and operational matters.