Bangladesh Police have repeatedly communicated to the government that officers are dissatisfied with the uniforms introduced during the interim administration, prompting a fresh proposal to revise the attire.
Police Headquarters has now suggested reintroducing khaki pants, citing discomfort among members with the current uniform. For shirts, the force has recommended light olive for metropolitan police units and deep blue for other branches.
The proposal was outlined in a letter sent on April 15 to the senior secretary of the home ministry.
Historically, khaki has been closely associated with law enforcement across the subcontinent, originating from its use in the British Army’s uniform.
If approved, the move would mark the return of khaki to police uniforms after nearly 22 years.
According to the correspondence, the previous uniform—comprising deep grey or light olive shirts paired with dark blue pants—was replaced last year under the administration led by Muhammad Yunus. The updated attire featured iron TC shirts made from a polyester-cotton blend, along with coffee-coloured pants.
However, the letter noted that the change sparked dissatisfaction among officers at the field level.
The colour revision also became a topic of widespread discussion both داخل the force and among the public.
“In response, senior police officials reviewed several samples and shades, eventually selecting a preliminary palette for shirts and pants in consultation with high-level home ministry authorities,” the letter read.
Under the new proposal, metropolitan police would wear light olive shirts with khaki pants, while district and other units would adopt deep blue shirts with khaki pants. Specialised units—including the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), Special Protection Battalion (SPBn), Special Branch (SB), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)—would remain exempt from the changes.
Authorities have also been urged to amend the Police Dress Rules, 2025, to facilitate implementation.
The current uniform structure traces back to changes made in 2004 under the BNP-led four-party alliance government, when khaki was replaced with light olive shirts and dark blue pants for metropolitan police, and deep grey shirts with dark blue pants for other units. That arrangement remained in place until another revision in November last year.
Following the BNP’s election victory in February, renewed calls emerged within the police force to reconsider the latest uniform design.
The earlier overhaul had already incurred a cost of approximately Tk 760 million, raising concerns about the justification for additional expenditure amid ongoing economic challenges.
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