Independent police commission essential for accountability: Matiur Rahman

Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman said today that establishing an independent police commission, free from political influence, is essential to build a people-friendly and accountable police force.

"At various stages of life — personal, social, and administrative — we turn to the police for help. Many times they do respond, though in some cases they fail due to structural, political or accountability limitations," he said a roundtable titled "Bangladesh Police Reform: Challenges and Actions.

The Prothom Alo editor acknowledged that although the police often face public criticism, they also play a crucial role in providing immediate assistance during personal, social, and institutional crises.

At the roundtable organised by Prothom Alo at Pragati Tower in Dhaka, Matiur observed that despite several reform initiatives since the 1980s, none have led to comprehensive transformation.

He said the current context offers a real opportunity for meaningful reform, with both former and current members of the police actively engaging policymakers and preparing reform proposals.

Citing the recommendations of the earlier Police Reform Commission, Matiur said the body had made more than a hundred proposals, of which 18 were considered immediately implementable.

"Eleven of those have been implemented," he said.

Implemented measures include creating an internal investigation cell for human rights complaints, enforcing the Appellate Division's directives on arrest and interrogation, ensuring the presence of a magistrate or local person during night-time searches, and enhancing oversight by circle officers and superintendents in case filing and investigations.

However, several recommendations remain pending, such as installing transparent interrogation rooms, improving lockup conditions, ensuring the presence of female officers during questioning of women, and making the filing of general diaries (GDs) mandatory at all police stations.

Matiur also highlighted one major unimplemented proposal, prohibiting the arrest of non-FIR accused persons without a court order.

Police authorities, he said, considered it "unrealistic," as not all suspects' names are known at the time of case filing.

Emphasising depoliticisation, he said, "We all want a police force that serves the people and not political interests. Recruitment, promotion, and transfer must be based on merit, competence, and integrity, not political loyalty."

He added that although the proposed police commission has gained national consensus, concerns remain over its autonomy. According to available information, the commission will draft policy recommendations but will not have authority over appointments, promotions, or transfers which will remain under the home ministry.

"In that case, the commission's effectiveness will be questionable," he said, adding that if the home minister leads the selection committee, the "political influence" will continue."