Make police people-friendly

It is the duty of policemen to maintain law and order. They are there to provide leadership in the zero-sum game of deterrence. They are expected to be the strong arm of the Administration that will ensure better governance and provide swift retribution in cases of transgression.

Members of the police force, all over the world, are respected members of society. People do not hesitate to extend full cooperation to them in the interest of obtaining justice. There is also no hesitation in approaching a policeman or a police station and seeking help. It is taken for granted that in any civilised society, policemen will be the symbol of protection against injustice, terror or repression. In many countries, from the earliest days, school children are taught to rely for emergency support on the nearest police official.

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So what do we have now in Bangladesh?

The Prime Minister stated on 18 April in Sardah that the Government had increased budgetary allocation for the police force to Tk 1,702 crore in fiscal 2005-06 from Tk 889 crore in FY 2000-01. It was also mentioned that many had been sent abroad for training. I am forced to admit that for obvious reasons, the government's efforts are not proving to be sufficient.

We are faced with a serious and complex issue. I believe that the police force still continues to suffer from resource constraint, personnel constraint, poor equipment and inadequate police training. However, they (a vast majority) seem to be particularly deficient, on the question of attitude in the performance of duties. This includes a willingness to offer help, to be friendly, to be firm but courteous, and of course in being non-partisan.

I am not sure that we have entirely succeeded in instilling the right values within our police force. They, like the judiciary, are essential and vital components of good governance and constitutionally mandated behaviour. Unfortunately, we are suffering today because of lack of professionalism and increase in politicisation.

This deviation from the straight line starts from day one. In many cases, recruitment in different levels is undertaken not on the basis of merit and suitability, but more on recommendations of partisan politics. This disappointing trend persists subsequently not only with regard to postings and promotions but also in decisions regarding assignments. Such a scenario eventually encourages lack of accountability.

It also creates in the mind of the police officer a feeling that his sole effort should be to satisfy his superior and also to conform to the political views of the Administration in place. He thinks that this will guarantee for him the necessary perks and flexibilities that will make his life that much easier.

The next step in the scenario evolves out of the juxtaposition of all the above factors. I am now referring to corruption. Transparency international and many other civil societies have already gone on record in pointing out that this malaise as now permeated into the various layers of the police force, just as it has polluted through osmosis many other areas of governance.

I am writing today about our police force with great anguish in my heart. How can anyone forget the important sacrifices made by our policemen during the eventful days of March 1971 or during the rest of the War of Liberation? They fought bravely and did not hesitate to die for our freedom and independence. In those few months, policemen in many parts of Chapainawabganj, Dhaka and Chittagong became role models for many freedom fighters.

What we have today is just the opposite of such conditions.

Only a few decades later, our police force is under serious scrutiny. Critical reports have appeared persistently in the press and the electronic media highlighting excesses of the police. We have watched with horror brutality being meted out to unarmed demonstrators. Many have also questioned the use of overwhelming force that was unleashed in the streets against women.

This gradual deterioration has accelerated over the past few months. I happen to live in a residential area of Dhaka, where residents, more often than not, have to be passive participants during hartal days. They are witnesses to brick batting, beating and police-baiting. The residents have front seats in the political theatre that unfolds regularly in this zone and the over-enthusiasm of the police in not only clubbing demonstrators but also in restraining them from forms of protest, consistent with democratic norms. The response of the police, on such occasions, is a far cry from the way their colleagues handle demonstrations in cities like London, Bangkok, Jakarta, Seoul, New Delhi or New York.

What is the difference? Police in most countries of the world keep in mind that it is a fundamental right of any citizen to be able to express dissenting views with regard to any issue or any situation. This, they know, is the essence of democracy. It is not a sign of any 'conspiracy' as is quite often bandied about in our country. In such a situation, policemen abroad try their best to ensure that participants neither hurt anybody nor get hurt. Rubber bullets or live ammunition, as a matter of rule is practically never used. This is not done because it is understood that such steps might inflame the protests even further.

What we have seen in the streets of Dhaka, in Kansat or inside the stadium in Chittagong, time after time, are examples of what should not happen. One would have thought that Kansat was a sufficient lesson for our Administration. Obviously, it was not. Very soon afterwards, in front of the world electronic media, policemen unleashed the totally unacceptable attack on sports journalists in Chittagong, in presence of the visiting Australian cricket team. I thought it was a tragedy. We waste nearly a million US dollars for rebuilding our image through lobbyists in the USA and then, in one stroke, destroy it by clubbing journalists with guns and smashing their cameras inside the stadium. Photographs of an elderly photojournalist being severely beaten by an arrogant police officer embarrassed us, the eyes of the world.

Electronic media have also shown policemen throwing stones at protesters and opposition activists. In the recent past, we have also had a pregnant lady advocate not only beaten black and blue, but also subjected to threats and unfounded cases, just because she had the courage to expose the injustices done to her by police personnel.

It is possible that the Administration continues to be apprehensive of large gatherings in sensitive places. However, such apprehension should not necessarily be translated into merciless beating by any Administration.

It is time that the relevant authorities took it upon themselves to straighten the image of the police force. The police must also understand that they have been recruited to guard citizens, not to kill or maim them, not to unnecessarily enter residences and smash furnishing and not to be symbols of despotic behaviour.

The police have to regain the confidence of the common people through greater self-imposed discipline. They need to understand that whatever be the political persuasion, a citizen has the right to be treated as a human being.

They should not become a source of dread, and cause for women and children to flee from their homes and hide in fields to avoid being harassed. They should exercise their punitive powers with the knowledge that they are accountable for their actions.

Muhammad Zamir is a former Secretary and Ambassador who can be reached at mzamir@dhaka.net