| Bangladesh Police বাংলাদেশ পুলিশ | |
|---|---|
 Patch of Bangladesh Police | |
 Emblem of Bangladesh Police | |
 Flag of Bangladesh Police | |
| Abbreviation | BP |
| Motto | শান্তি শৃঙ্খলা নিরাপত্তা প্রগতি En: Discipline Security Progress |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | December 16, 1971; 53 years ago (1971-12-16) |
| Employees | 220,000 personnel[1] |
| Annual budget | ৳14000crore (US$1.1 billion) |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency | Bangladesh |
| Operations jurisdiction | Bangladesh |
| Size | 148,460 km2 (57,320 sq mi) |
| Population | 175 million[2] |
| Governing body | Government of Bangladesh |
| Constituting instrument |
|
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | 6, Phoenix Road, Fulbaria, Dhaka 1000 |
| Sworn officers | 11,000 |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive | |
| Parent agency | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Specialized Formations | |
| Metropolitan Commissionerates | |
| Facilities | |
| Stations | 651 |
| Armored vehicles | Otokar Cobra,IAG Guardian,STREIT Typhoon |
| Helicopters | Bell 407 |
| Notables | |
| Awards |
|
| Website | |
| www | |
| Service uniform: Yankees Blue, Light French Beige Combat uniform: Oak Brown, Brown Derby | |
TheBangladesh Police (Bengali:বাংলাদেশ পুলিশ,romanized: Baṅladeś Puliś) is the nationallaw enforcement service ofBangladesh, operating under theMinistry of Home Affairs.[3] It plays a crucial role in maintaining peace, and enforcement of law and order withinBangladesh. Though the police are primarily concerned with the maintenance of law and order and security of persons and property of individuals, they also play a big role in the criminal justice system.[4][5] Bangladesh Police played an important role during the1971 war.
Details of policing activities, during the middle age are challenging to find. However, during the periods of theBengal Sultanate, an official holding the position ofMuhtasib used to perform the duties of policing. This person was the chief of police, in charge of public works, and the inspector of public ethics simultaneously. In urban areas,Kotwals were responsible for performing police duties. The policing system introduced bySher Shah Suri was further organised during the period ofEmperor Akbar: the Emperor organised his administrative structure introducing Fouzdari (the principal representative of the Emperor), Mir Adal and Kazi (the head of judicial department), and Kotwal (the chief police official of larger cities). This system was effective in maintaining the law and order in cities, and was implemented inDhaka. Many district sadar police stations are still called Kotwali police stations. In theMughal period, Kotwal emerged as an institution.
A Fouzdar was appointed to every administrative unit of the government (district), under whom there were some artillery and cavalry forces. There was a disciplined police system during the Mughal period, though there was no professional police force like that in the British period.
In the early stage of theIndustrial Revolution, when England was facing grave crisis due to socio-economic transformation, the necessity of an effective organised police service was keenly felt.Sir Robert Peel, then the Prime Minister, introduced a bill in the British Parliament in 1829 that created an organised civil police in London. The success of the London police in controlling social disorder and crime was admired by not only the people of England but also of European and American countries: New York city copied the London model with some modifications when it organised the first Municipal Police Force, in 1833.[6]
In 1858, full control of the Indian Territory was taken over from theEast India Company by theBritish government. The success of the London Police organised under Peel'sMetropolitan Police Act 1829 prompted the British government to reform the police system in the sub-continent in a similar way to British constabularies. With this end in view, apolice commissioner was set up in 1861, and on the recommendation of the commission of the Police Act, 1861 (Act V of 1861), was passed. Under this act, a police force was created in each province of British India, and placed under the control of the provincial government. The administration of the police force of a province was vested upon an officer styled as theInspector-general of police. The administration of the police in a district was placed under theSuperintendent of Police. The Act is still in force throughout the sub-continent, and regulates the function of police in Bangladesh, as well as the other countries of the sub-continent.[6]
After the partition of the sub-continent in 1947, the police force in Bangladesh was first named as the East Bengal Police, and then as the East Pakistan Police; however, it continued to function on the same lines as during the British rule.[7]
In theBangladesh Liberation War, Bengali-speaking police officers participated with the citizens, leading to deaths from most ranks, fighting with.303 rifles against thePakistani Army. The resistance by the Bengali members of police atRajarbagh and inKushtia is considered the first chapter of armed struggles during theBangladesh Liberation War.[8][9] Bangladesh Police founded a Liberation War Museum at the Rajarbagh police line in January 2017.[10][11]
After the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent country on 16 December 1971, the police force was recognised and assumed the role of a national police force.[6] In January 2004, theBangladesh Nationalist Party led government removed theboat from the police as it resembled the former ruling party,Awami League'selection symbol.[12] The boat symbol was brought back during thesecond premiership of Hasina.
However, following theoverthrow of Hasina administration, on 22 April 2025, the police logo and symbol was changed through agazette published by theinterim government.[13][14] The gazette of the new dress code was published on the same day.[15] The new logo, resembles thenational emblem of Bangladesh.[16]
Bangladesh Police is headed by theInspector General of Police (IGP), under whose command, Bangladesh Police is divided into several formations.
Subnational Formations
Specialized Divisions
Specialized Battalion Forces
Specialized Units
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bangladesh Police[18] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inspector general of police | Additional inspector general of police[note 1] | Deputy inspector general of police | Additional deputy inspector general of police | Superintendent of police[note 2] | Additional superintendent of police | Senior assistant superintendent of police | Assistant superintendent of police | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Metropolitan Branch | Commissioner of Police[note 3] | Commissioner of Police Additional Police Commissioner[note 4] | Additional Police Commissioner Joint Commissioner of Police[note 5] | Deputy Commissioner of Police | Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police | Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police | Assistant Commissioner of Police | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial Police | Director General | Additional Director General | Director | Deputy Director | Senior Assistant Director | Assistant Director | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional Inspector Generals of Police (Addl. IGs) serve directly under the Inspector General of Police (IGP). There were 11 Addl. IGs on the force as of 2009.[19]
As of 2025, Addl. IGs commandSpecial Branch, theCID, one unit of theMetropolitan Police, theRailway Police, theHighway Police, thePolice Bureau of Investigation, theAnti Terrorism Unit, theTourist Police, theRapid Action Battalion, theArmed Police Battalion, theRiver Police, theIndustrial Police, and two training units.[20]
| Rank group | Junior commissioned officer | NCO | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh Police[18] |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inspector of police | Sub-inspector | Sergeant | Assistant sub-inspector | Nayek | Constable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Armed Branch | Armed Inspector of Police | Armed Sub-Inspector | Armed Assistant Sub-Inspector | Nayek | Constable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial Police | Deputy Assistant Director | Circle Commander | Assistant Sub-Inspector | Nayek | Constable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traffic Division | Traffic Inspector | Town Sub-Inspector | Sergeant | Assistant Town Sub-Inspector | Traffic Constable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Police medals are awarded every year in the annual Police Week Parade. They are awarded both for bravery and service.
Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM)
Bangladesh Police Medal (Bravery)
Bangladesh Police Medal (Service)
President Police Medal (Bravery)
President Police Medal (Service)The recruitment process differs according to the level of position being recruited to, and direct entry (where an applicant does not have to start at the lowest level) is possible. The educational requirements increase with rank. A minimum bachelor's degree is required for Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sub-Inspector, and Sergeant, and for Constable, a Secondary School Certificate is required. Recruitment is conducted in the following three tiers:
The Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) are recruited by theBangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) through the competitiveBangladesh Civil Service theBangladesh Police Academy as Probationary ASPs. After passing from the academy, they undergo an orientation training for six months in the district level as a probationer. After that they are appointed as full-fledged ASPs in different units.
Sub-Inspectors are recruited by Police Headquarters centrally. They undergo a one-year-long training in the Bangladesh Police Academy as Outside Cadet Sub-Inspectors. After that they have partake in two years probationary period in different police units. After that they have been appointed as a full-fledged SIs in different units.
Sergeants are recruited by Police Headquarters centrally. After appointment they undergo a one-year-long training course in the Bangladesh Police Academy, at the rank of Probationary Sergeant. After passing from the academy, they also undergo an orientation training of one year in the rank of probationer.
Constables are recruited at the district level. They undergo a six-month-long training in thePolice Training Centre as aTrainee Recruit Constable career (TRC).
The main training institution of the Bangladesh Police is theBangladesh Police Academy, established in 1912 in Sardah.[21] ThePolice Staff College, which trains officers from ASP to DIG in-service, was established in 2000 inDhaka.[22] Bangladesh Police also maintainsPolice Training Centre (PTC) inTangail,Rangpur,Khulna andNoakhali. TheDetective Training School was established in 1962 in Dhaka.
Moreover, there are in-service training centres in different districts.
In Bangladesh police, community policing is an organisation with the aims of promoting community, government and police partnerships, proactive problem solving, and community engagement to address the causes of crime, fear of crime and community issues. Bangladesh Police have been trying to implement this philosophy nationwide. The Police Reform Program (PRP), a UNDP funded project, has been providing Bangladesh Police with technical assistance to implement community-policing nationwide.[23]
Under the strategic partnership there are:
The implementation partnership starts at the district level:There is a district community-policing cell in every district under the Superintendent of Police. The Additional SP or an ASP looks after the district community-policing cell.Secondly, in the police station level, there is a community policing cell with a full-time community policing officer (CPO), who coordinates the community policing activities in the police station jurisdiction.
In 2016 Dhaka Metropolitan Police under DMP CommissionerAsaduzzaman Mia implementedbeat policing in Dhaka city. In this regard, each Police Station is divided into some police beats, and for each beat there is an assigned Beat Policing Officer for a tenure of 2 years.[24]
Since its first mission in Namibia in 1989, the Bangladesh Police has contributed to numerousUN peace-keeping missions.[25]
List of completed and presentUNPOL and FPU Peacekeeping missions participated by Bangladesh Police:[26]
| Sl. No | Name of mission | Country | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UNTAG | Namibia | 1989–1990 |
| 2 | UNTAC | Cambodia | 1992–1994 |
| 3 | UNPROFOR | Yugoslavia | 1992–1996 |
| 4 | ONUMOZ | Mozambique | 1993–1994 |
| 5 | UNAMIR | Rwanda | 1993–1995 |
| 6 | UNMIH | Haiti | 1994–1995 |
| 7 | UNAVEM III | Angola | 1995–1999 |
| 8 | UNTAES | East Slovenia | 1996–1998 |
| 9 | UNMIBH | Bosnia | 1996–2002 |
| 10 | UNAMET &UNTAET | East Timor | 1999–2002[citation needed] |
| 11 | UNMIK | Kosovo | 1999–2009 |
| 12 | UNAMSIL | Sierra Leone | 2000 |
| 13 | UNMIL | Liberia | 2003–present |
| 14 | UNOCI | Ivory Coast | 2004–present |
| 15 | UNMIS | Sudan | 2005–2011 |
| 16 | MONUSCO | DR Congo | 2005–present |
| 17 | UNMIT | East Timor | 2006–2012 |
| 18 | UNAMID | Darfur | 2007–present |
| 19 | UNAMA | Afghanistan | 2008–2010 |
| 20 | UNMISS | South Sudan | 2011–present[citation needed] |
Bangladesh Police has been criticized for having political influence at all levels, and the major decisions are taken under political conditions. Corruption is widespread among the law enforcement, with custody deaths and torture being prevalent.
In 2016 January, a Dhaka South City Corporation official was tortured by Dhaka Metropolitan Police members.[27] In the same month a sub-inspector at DMP was accused of torturing and attempting to extort money from a Bangladesh Bank official.[28][29] Bangladesh Police have been accused of being involved in crime including rape and murder.[30] Bangladesh's opposition parties have accused the police of being used to suppress the opposition parities.[31] The accountability of the police has been questioned by the media.[32] 230 Police officers in Barisal Metropolitan Police created a collective bribe fund for promotions.[33] Bangladesh Police faced criticism for advising secular bloggers to practice self-censorship following attacks on secularists in the country.[34] Wife ofAvijit Roy had accused Bangladesh Police of Inactivity during the attack on her husband.[35] British Government has faced criticism for its aid to Bangladesh Police which could be used to suppress dissidents.[36]
Mohammad Harun-Ur-Rashid, Superintendent of Police and head of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Tejgaon division, has been at the center of several controversies.[37] On 3 November 2019, he kidnapped the wife and minor son of Showkat Aziz Russell, Chairperson of Amber group, for extortion fromGulshan and shifted them toNarayanganj. He was removed from his post inNarayanganj after the incident came to light.[38] He continued working at the post four days after his transfer came through.[39] The Business Standard, a Bangladeshi newspaper, described him as a "case of police impunity".[40] He made the news first on 6 July 2011 for assaultingZainul Abdin Farroque,Bangladesh Nationalist Party politician, opposition whip, and member of parliament. He was awarded and promoted for the assault onZainul.[38][41] In November 2019, a video of him went viral, where he and other police officers were seen attacking a referee in a friendly football match.[41]
On 16 July 2024, between 2:30 and 3:00 pm,quota reform protesters[42][43] and police clashed in front ofBegum Rokeya University.[44][45] Police fired tear gas and baton-charged to disperse students. Most of the students left whileAbu Sayed remained.[46][47][48] The police were firing rubber bullets from the opposite direction.[49][50] Sayed was subsequently shot four times by a police officer.[51] He died before being taken to hospital.[52][53][54]
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