Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said that the government would soon decide on restoring one of the earlier uniforms previously used by the police, as members of the force are dissatisfied with the current uniform.
He made the remarks while addressing the passing-out parade of the 43rd BCS (Police) batch at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi, as the chief guest.
‘There is an expectation and a demand within the police. After discussions with officers at different levels, I have realised that the force is not satisfied with the current uniform. We will hold discussions at the highest levels of the government and take a decision so that the police can adopt one of the earlier traditional uniforms,’ he said.
The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government introduced new uniforms for the police, Rapid Action Battalion, and Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party in January last year, drawing criticism over the colour scheme.
The home minister also said that the government was working to establish an independent and strong Police Reform Commission aimed at ensuring that the force remains free from political interference.
‘In matters of recruitment, transfer, and promotion, merit and seniority will be the only criteria,’ he said, adding that outdated colonial-era police laws would be replaced with modern, people-friendly legislation.
The minister said the government wanted to build a police force that would not abuse power but would ensure safety for citizens and serve as a deterrent to criminals.
Speaking to journalists after the programme, he said that a committee on constitutional amendments would be formed based on the July National Charter.
‘The issues on which political parties have reached consensus in the July National Charter will be prioritised as a document of political agreement,’ he said.
Land minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, state minister for social welfare Farzana Sharmin, inspector general of police Ali Hossain Fakir, and Bangladesh Police Academy principal GM Azizur Rahman, among others, also addressed the ceremony.
