Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today directed police officers to treat criminals as criminals regardless of their political identity, stressing that the government would not compromise on corruption, terrorism and misrule.
“While dealing with corruption and terrorism many times you face pressures related to political identity or political affiliation. I want to give you a clear message that you should not consider anyone’s political identity. Whoever is involved in crime must be treated as a criminal,” he said.
The prime minister made the remarks while addressing senior police officers at his Tejgaon office on the occasion of “Police Week 2026”.
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Photo: PMO
Stating that the application of law is equal for everyone, he said police are the protectors of law, not any political party, and urged officers to carry out their duties for the welfare of the state and the people.
“No individual or political party is your party. Rather, you are the protectors of law. You must always remember this. Your duty is to serve the welfare of the state and the people,” Tarique said.
He said the role of police is indispensable in building a strong, accountable, lawful and people-friendly state system.
Tarique urged police officials to build public trust and maintain both legal and humane relations with citizens.
“Alongside your other responsibilities, a significant amount of your time is also spent dealing with political instability. This is part of your duty, and it happens, more or less, in every country around the world,” he said.
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Photo: PMO
The prime minister said the government wants to ensure people’s democratic and political rights, but warned that no one should be allowed to engage in activities that could harm communal harmony or involve sabotage.
He acknowledged that maintaining law and order has become more difficult due to changing crime patterns driven by technological advancement and transnational organised crime.
“As crime patterns evolve, the scope of police activities has also become broader and more extensive. Today’s policing is no longer limited to a city or district. Police officers now need broader and more specialised skills to deal with various forms of global and technology-based crimes,” Tarique said.
He also warned officers against seeking postings based on personal preference or promotion ambitions, saying professionalism must come first.
“If we focus only on promotions or desired postings, it compromises professionalism,” the prime minister said, asking officers to work sincerely wherever they are posted.
Tarique also said neither governments nor administrative positions are permanent.
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Photo: PMO
The prime minister said there is no alternative to an efficient, brave, honest and neutral police force for the success of any government.
“When people face danger, they first go to the police station. From the police response, they judge the government itself… So, police is the mirror of the government,” he said.
Referring to the situation after August 5, the prime minister praised police for handling several difficult situations strategically and helping control mob violence over the last one and a half years.
Tarique said the government wants to transform the police into a truly people-friendly force where ordinary citizens can place their trust and confidence.
He also stressed the importance of protecting communal harmony in the country.
“You may have a very good colleague who belongs to another religion. As fellow human beings and colleagues, we must protect harmony and respect for all communities,” the prime minister said.
“We want to build a prosperous, self-reliant, democratic, safe and humane Bangladesh. Beyond your uniforms, I believe you will agree with me as citizens as well. We want to turn this aspiration into reality, and In shaa Allah it is possible to achieve,” he said.
But to fulfil this aspiration successfully, Tarique said maintaining law and order and ensuring peace and security for the people are imperative.
“So, my special appeal to you is that wherever responsibilities are entrusted to you within the police administration, you must carry them out with sincerity and importance. Only then will we be able to ensure an efficient, dynamic and professional police force,” he said.
The prime minister said people become involved in crime for many reasons and economic inequality is one of the major causes.
After assuming office, he said, the government has taken various initiatives to reduce economic disparity and ensure a socio-economic safety net for citizens.
Tarique said the government will continue to work for the welfare of the police force.
“Honesty, merit and efficiency will be the key principles in recruitment, transfers and postings within the administration. We know that police duties are never confined to fixed working hours,” he said.
Reiterating that public perception of the government largely depends on police conduct and activities, he said the state expects honesty, efficiency, fairness, professionalism and humanity from officers.
“If you can uphold these qualities as much as possible, then your slogan, ‘My Police, My Country -- Bangladesh First’, will truly become meaningful and successful. Let us move forward from our respective positions by doing whatever we can for the country, the nation and the people of this land,” the prime minister said.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manjur Morshed Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir, Additional IGP AKM Awlad Hossain and other senior police officials also spoke at the programme.
Earlier on Sunday, Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated “Police Week 2026” at Rajarbagh Police Lines in Dhaka.
Police week will conclude on May 13.
