The awarding of Bangladesh Police Medals (BPM) and President Police Medals (PPM) to 107 police officers and personnel has been postponed.

The medals were scheduled to be conferred tomorrow at the opening of the Police Week 2026.

The medals were to be awarded in recognition of professional excellence across different units of the Bangladesh Police.

Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime) Rafiqul Islam told The Daily Star that the programme was postponed as the president, whose signature is required for the awards, left the country this morning.

“Maybe this is one of the reasons for postponing the programme,” he said.

Asked whether the postponement was linked to criticism surrounding the nomination of several controversial officers for the awards, Rafiqul said, “Not all 107 individuals will appear deserving to everyone. Someone considered qualified by one person may not be considered qualified by another.”

He, however, said the scheduled events of Police Week would continue and the medals would be awarded later.

A deputy commissioner nominated for a medal told The Daily Star that no government order (GO) regarding the awards had yet been issued.

“We were not asked to attend tomorrow either. I heard the issue arose over the nomination of some controversial senior officers for the medals,” the officer said, requesting anonymity.