Police Discontent Mounts Over Unregulated Promotions and Postings
Sakhawat Hossain
The Bangladesh Police force’s internal chain of command is now being disrupted by intense competition for promotions, transfers, and desirable posts. Despite the political change that followed the student movement in July and August of 2024, officials from the ousted Awami League administration remain in major administrative posts. The biggest beneficiaries are police officials who spent time in major roles at Police Headquarters and the Special Branch, helping decision-makers suppress opposition groups like the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Officers who have experienced severe deprivation, delayed promotions, or job loss for the previous 17 years continue to be neglected.
On the other hand, officials who were dismissed, sent to remote areas, or sidelined due to their involvement with student wings such as Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir continued to be denied their desired posts. Even though the Awami League administration was ousted and many of these rejected officers were rehabilitated, institutional obstacles still exist for them. Several officers from the 15th and 17th BCS batches, who were severely detached during the previous regime, were ignored. At the same time, fellow officers who were identified as fascist collaborators were promoted to the position of Additional Inspector General of Police, according to an intelligence report issued to high government quarters.
One Additional Inspector General of Police and two Deputy Inspector Generals from Police Headquarters informed Daily Inquilab, on condition of confidentiality, that there has been a significant change in the relationship between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the police hierarchy. They said that policymakers now make their own choices in solitude, with senior officials only getting information about promotions and postings after official gazette notices are released, while top police opinions were formerly carefully examined across four distinct administrations. Many of the recently promoted individuals are known to have been close collaborators of the ousted government.
The unknown high-ranking officials added that honorary nominations are presently being awarded to those who obtained highly coveted BPM-PPN awards by repressing political opponents, holding very sensitive positions, or visiting abroad with Ms. Sheikh Hasina. They voiced deep concern that these reformed or favored police might begin systematic arrests and torture of opposition leaders and activists in the case of a law-and-order crisis, threatening long-term democratic stability.
These administrative decisions have created a great deal of confusion and worry, according to discussions with ten to twelve operational officials, ranging from inspectors to DIGs. Officers who suffered in the past feel severely unappreciated in terms of what they are entitled to, particularly because those connected to earlier corruption and power abuse continue to hold important district and metropolitan positions. They emphasize that both local and international refugees indicate a return, and professional criminals are becoming more active.
According to the same group of inside sources, the police officers now being promoted by the Ministry of Home Affairs are completely unable to successfully restore peace and order or reconstruct the compromised police structure. Additionally, allegations emerged concerning the ongoing use of political ties and strong lobbying for promotions and postings, which closely parallels the previous regime’s methods. Senior, deserving officers are being forced to serve directly under their juniors since entire batches are being ignored.
Ultimately, police officers who risked their lives in danger to do their basic tasks during the complete pandemonium of the July–August uprising are suffering from severe professional neglect. Failing to address long-standing administrative concerns undermines the larger goal of creating a just, competent, and responsible law enforcement system that can stand up to public expectations while the police force deals with a challenging post-uprising transition.
