Police officials who have been in service for 25 years and were accused of being involved in corruption will be disciplined by the police department, say sources.
Such policemen could be forced into retirement in order to make the force more dynamic.
Besides, any police official found guilty of any accusation will be expelled from the force as per the existing law, according to sources.
A list of 500 such police officials was said to have been sent to the Home Ministry and a response is now awaited.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told the Dhaka Tribune reorganising the police force is usual.
“A list of police officials who were accused in cases filed by the police department was sought from an intelligence agency. Stern action will be taken if any of the accused is found guilty,” he said.
“To restructure the force, a number of measures have been taken and there have been some promotions recently. Besides, officials who deserve to be promoted will get the good news soon,” he added.
A Home Ministry source said Asaduzzaman, after becoming a full-fledged minister, asked for a list of police officials who had been involved, or had been accused of being involved, in corruption with a view to reforming the police department.
He also sought a list of policemen who deserve promotions.
According to intelligence reports submitted to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, more than 150 police officials released a total of 252 accused and criminals in 24 districts in exchange for bribes.
Police headquarters data show the number of complaints against officials ranging from superintendents to constables have been on the rise, despite repeated warnings issued by the home minister, police chief and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner against such incidents.
Crime and security experts observe that strict monitoring, tough punishment and an end to culture of impunity could have stopped police’s involvement in serious crimes.
Police Headquarters Security Cell data say they got around 6,000 complaints against officials of different tiers from January to May this year. Of those, complaints were filed against 5,566 police officers – 28 were arrested red handed while committing crimes – across the country.
So far, police headquarters have taken action against 787 officials. Of them, 57 were sacked or sent to forced retirement. Probe against the remaining accused is under way.
Of the accused officials, three are police superintendents, seven additional police superintendents, 18 senior assistant police superintendents, 48 inspectors, 812 sub-inspectors, 1,218 assistant sub-inspectors, 1,115 sergeants and trainee sub-inspectors, 431 habildars, and 3,132 are naiks and constables.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
