News Desk

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today stressed that building trust between the police and the public is essential for maintaining law and order and controlling crime effectively, urging police personnel to ensure that no innocent citizen faces harassment.

Speaking at the Police Welfare Parade held at the Rajarbagh Police Auditorium during Police Week 2026, the prime minister said the success of the police depends on their ability to become a symbol of trust and security for ordinary people.

“If the police can become a symbol of trust and security for the people, that is the success of the police. And the success of the police means the success of the government as well,” Tarique Rahman said.

The premier, who is also chairman of the ruling BNP, reminded police officials that the force must operate according to the law rather than political interests.

“The police administration does not belong to any party; the police administration will be run according to statutory law,” he said. “It is certainly your responsibility to ensure that no innocent person is subjected to harassment.”

Emphasising the importance of a humane approach in policing, Tarique Rahman said the relationship between the police and citizens should be based on trust, mutual respect, and cooperation.

“Let the relationship between the police and the people be based on trust and mutual dependence. In any danger or crisis, let people consider the police station their reliable shelter,” he added.

The prime minister noted that ordinary citizens usually seek help from police stations only when they are in distress, making it vital for law enforcement officials to create confidence among the public.

“You must remember that ordinary people first come to the police station for legal assistance,” he said. “People do not go to the police station unless they are in trouble. Therefore, it is very important to create the perception that their troubles will lessen after going to the police station.”

He urged police personnel to combine legal enforcement with compassion and humanity while dealing with citizens.

“You will certainly take legal action in any matter. But if there is a touch of humanity, then because of you, the government’s successes will have a positive impact in the minds of the people,” he added.

Describing police officers as the government’s “field-level ambassadors,” Tarique Rahman said members of the force play a crucial role in ensuring public safety, maintaining order, and delivering justice.

“They are not only members of a law enforcement agency; they are the first gateway to maintaining law and order in the state, ensuring public safety, and delivering justice,” he said.

The prime minister also criticised the previous administration, alleging that the police force had been politicised for partisan purposes.

“The fascist government had made the police force stand against the people for its narrow partisan political interests,” he said. “Now that the dark time has passed, it is time to move forward anew.”

He said the biggest challenge before the police at present is to regain and maintain public trust.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to improving law and order, Tarique Rahman said a modern, skilled, and technology-driven police force is essential in today’s rapidly changing world.

“In the current world, it is difficult to ensure the services expected by the people without a skilled, modern and humane police force equipped with technological expertise,” he said.

The prime minister said the government has already begun efforts to modernise policing by incorporating advanced technologies, including cyber policing, artificial intelligence, and big data analysis, to address emerging security challenges in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“With this goal, the government is committed to building a modern technology-based policing system,” he said.

Tarique Rahman also reaffirmed the government’s tough stance against drugs, terrorism, corruption, and organised crime. He said crimes such as child marriage, violence against women and children, robbery, theft, juvenile gang activity, and financial fraud continue to threaten society.

“Ordinary people are becoming victims of these crimes every day,” he said, expressing concern over the growing problem of drug abuse and online gambling.

He instructed police officials to intensify anti-drug operations by targeting both traffickers and the sources of narcotics through strict enforcement of the law.

“Therefore, it is urgent for the police to conduct operations to control drug abuse by targeting drug suppliers and the sources of drugs through strict enforcement of the law,” the premier added.

The prime minister strongly emphasised the importance of protecting human rights and maintaining the rule of law. He categorically rejected enforced disappearances, abductions, and extrajudicial actions.

“Enforced disappearance, abduction, or extrajudicial activities are not acceptable in any way,” Tarique Rahman said. “Protecting the rights of every citizen is the moral and constitutional duty of every police official.”

He further said the government wants to strengthen professionalism and institutional integrity within Bangladesh Police by prioritising merit and competence in recruitment, promotion, and transfer decisions.

“We want to prioritize merit, qualifications, efficiency and integrity in transfers, promotions or recruitment in police,” he said.

Addressing welfare issues faced by police personnel, the prime minister acknowledged the need for improved training, housing, healthcare, and financial support for officers and their families.

“There is no alternative to making our police force more skilled and modern in line with this rapidly changing world order,” he said.

To support that goal, he said the government is considering several welfare measures, including better housing facilities, improved medical services, increased ration support, and enhanced risk allowances.

Tarique Rahman also admitted that the government inherited serious administrative and economic challenges when it assumed office.

“The current government had to take responsibility amid a weak governance structure devastated by corruption and misrule, a deteriorating law and order situation, and a fragile economic condition,” he said.

He added that the administration also had to deal with the impact of a global conflict shortly after taking office, making it impossible to fulfil all expectations immediately.

“In such a reality, it is not possible for us to fulfill all your expectations within a few weeks or a few months. But we will never step back from gradually implementing every commitment,” he said.

Concluding his speech, the prime minister stressed that justice, humanity, and national unity are stronger than the use of force.

“Our path is not easy, but our purpose is noble,” he said. “We want to build a prosperous, self-reliant, democratic, safe and humane Bangladesh.”

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, senior police officials, and government representatives attended the programme.