Police has become a people-friendly force to implement timely initiatives of the government: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, as a result of taking and implementing timely initiatives by the government, the police has become a modern, efficient, dynamic and people-friendly force in the country.
She said this in a message on Monday (February 26) on the occasion of 'Police Week 2024' starting from Tuesday (February 27).
Sheikh Hasina said that the Bangladesh Police Force was given special importance in the reformation and development of the forces as the father of the nation had given special importance on it of war-torn Bangladesh after independence. To maintain law and order, providing security for people's lives and property, and preventing and suppressing crime at the main roles of police, she added.
Whenever the Bangladesh Awami League forms the government, it follows the footsteps of the father of the nation and improves the Bangladesh Police as a force.
"During the period of 1996-2001, we increased the police budget, introduced risk allowance, doubled the rate of ration and provided necessary vehicles,” said Sheikh Hasina.
In 1998, we were the first to appoint a woman officer to the post of Superintendent of Police, she added.
The Prime Minister said, 'We have taken multi-faceted steps including formation of police welfare trust, establishment of police staff college, increase of police manpower and infrastructure development with Tk 5 crore seed money. As a result of taking and implementing these timely initiatives, the police force today has become a modern, up-to-date, efficient, dynamic and people-friendly force.
She said, 'In the last 15 years, we have implemented extensive development activities. The number of Grade-I and Grade-II posts has also been increased along with increments, creation of new posts and large number of promotions at various levels. We have established many new specialized police units including Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Industry Police, Tourist Police, Anti-Terrorism, Counter-Terrorism, Naval Police, MRT Police and SPBN.
The head of government said, "A few battalions have been formed to protect the security of Rohingya camps and hill districts. We have upgraded the Police Staff College to an international standard institution. We have allocated the necessary land for the construction of police stations, outpost investigation centers, barracks, residential buildings.”
Stating that the police hospital in Rajarbagh has been modernized by constructing a ten-storey building, the prime minister said, "We have taken the initiative to construct a police hospital at the divisional level. We have set up DNA lab, forensic lab, automated finger print identification system (FIS) and modern chemical laboratory for police force. Air Wing of Police has been formed to increase the capability in airspace. The National Emergency Service 999 has been able to earn the trust of the people.”
She said, 'Serving the people at all times is the sacred duty of every policeman. I hope that the policemen will perform their duties with integrity, dedication, professionalism, efficiency, impartiality, sacrifice, bravery and patriotism while upholding human values.'
Sheikh Hasina said, 'We are working towards making Bangladesh a developed-rich, golden Bangladesh of the father of the nation's dream and smart Bangladesh by 2041.
In the smart Bangladesh of Vision-2041, the police must also be modern, up-to-date and smart. The Prime Minister expressed hope.
“Bangladesh Police Force will be able to bravely face the new challenges of the new day by keeping the continuity of success intact and will always strive to uphold the glory of the police,” she said.
“Bangladesh Police Force has a glorious history. Responding to the call of the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on March 25, 1971, members of the Rajarbagh Police Lines mounted the first armed resistance against the Pakistani invading forces. During the liberation war, about 14 thousand Bengali policemen of the police force left their workplace and jumped directly into the liberation war. Among them, more than 1,100 policemen were martyred. Bangladesh Police has repeatedly passed the test of patriotism and professionalism.”
Sheikh Hasina said that on August 15, 1975, on that dark night of killing the Father of the Nation, Police ASI Siddiqur Rahman sacrificed his life without hesitation to stop the killers. Many fearless police personnel have sacrificed their lives in all forms of counter-terrorism, including terrorist activities by anti-national radical forces and militants.
Many policemen were killed while on duty in the UN peacekeeping mission, Sheikh Hasina mentioned. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the members of the police force risking their lives to stand by the people like trusted friends, which is highly commendable, she added.
Sheikh Hasina extended warm greetings and congratulations to all the members of the Bangladesh Police Force on the occasion of 'Police Week 2024' and remembered with deep respect the members of the police force who sacrificed their lives for the country during the Great Liberation War and other times. She also wished for the overall success of all the programs of 'Police Week-2024'.