Police stations must be places of public trust: Home Adviser

Home Affairs Advisers Lieutenant General (retd) Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday said the country’s police stations must be transformed into centres of public trust.

“Police stations must be designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment where citizens can seek assistance without fear. Officers should exhibit polite behaviour towards citizens, making police activities more people-friendly, efficient and relevant to current needs,” he said.

The adviser made the remarks while addressing a meeting with officials from various law enforcement and administrative bodies, including the Armed Forces Division, Chattogram Range Police, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, Immigration and Passport Department, Prisons Directorate, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and Department of Narcotics Control. The meeting was held at the Dampara Police Lines in Chattogram.

The adviser stressed strengthening community policing to address issues such as traffic congestion and crime control.

He said 700 students in the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) area have already been trained and deployed for traffic management. “Discussions are underway to engage retired personnel from the armed forces, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who have experience in traffic control, within a set age limit.”

To mitigate traffic congestion in major cities, the adviser suggested designating open spaces for public gatherings, and highlighted that Suhrawardy Udyan has already been allocated for such purposes in Dhaka, and similar arrangements should be made for Chattogram and other cities.

He instructed that no public gatherings should be held in metropolitan areas without prior permission.

Regarding concerns about rising crimes, the adviser expressed alarm over top criminals securing bail and re-engaging in unlawful activities.

He asked law enforcement agencies to immediately re-arrest such people and place them under strict surveillance.

On the issue of growing cybercrime and misinformation on social media, he called for heightened vigilance and action against offenders.

The adviser remarked that while there have been improvements in law and order since August 5, the situation may not yet meet public expectations.

He directed the police to focus on their primary responsibilities and reduce involvement in protocol duties.

While briefing journalists following the meeting, the adviser urged the media to report truthfully.

"Our media has a reputation for integrity, unlike some neighbouring countries where misinformation is rampant," he said, adding that the Bangladeshi press must counter such false narratives.

Responding to questions about a recently docked ship from Pakistan, the adviser clarified that the ship had arrived from a Middle Eastern country, with necessary permissions, carrying essential Ramadan goods such as dates and onions.

He questioned why there should be objections to such shipments, adding, "Spreading  rumours about these matters is an act of hostility towards the nation."

The meeting, presided over by CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz, was attended by several senior officials, including Inspector General of Police Mohammad Maynul Islam, RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman, DIG of Chattogram Range Md Ahsan Habib Palash, Additional Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Nurullah Nuri, and Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam.