Prime minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday said the police administration does not belong to any political party and will function strictly in accordance with statutory law, while urging police members to win public trust through professionalism, integrity and humane conduct.
‘The police administration does not belong to any party; the police administration will be run according to statutory law,’ the prime minister said while addressing the police ‘Welfare Parade’ at the Rajarbagh Police Auditorium on the occasion of Police Week 2026.
He urged police personnel to ensure that no innocent person faces harassment and said building trust between the police and the public would make crime control easier.
‘If the police can become a symbol of trust and security for the people, that is the success of the police. The success of the police means the success of the government as well,’ he said.
Tarique Rahman, also chairman of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, said police stations should become reliable shelters for people in times of crisis.
‘The relationship between the police and the people should be based on trust and mutual dependence,’ he said, reminding officers that ordinary citizens first seek legal assistance at police stations when they face danger or hardship.
He stressed that people generally do not go to police stations unless they are in trouble and said it was important to create confidence among citizens that their suffering would lessen after approaching the police.
The prime minister said legal action must always be accompanied by humanity and respectful behaviour.
‘If there is a touch of humanity, then because of you, the government’s successes will have a positive impact in the minds of the people,’ he told the police officials.
Describing police members as the government’s ambassadors at the field level, Tarique said they play a vital role in maintaining law and order, ensuring public safety and delivering justice through quick decisions and professional skills.
He alleged that the previous ‘fascist government’ had used the police force against the people for partisan political interests and said the force now faced the challenge of regaining public trust.
‘Now that the dark time has passed, it is time to move forward anew,’ he said.
The prime minister said the government was giving top priority to improving law and order and ensuring the safety of people and property across the country.
He said the government wanted to establish police stations where people could file complaints directly without intermediaries and receive proper remedies without fear.
Highlighting the importance of public cooperation in maintaining law and order, the prime minister urged police officials to strengthen community policing and continue public-oriented initiatives, including Open House Day programmes.
Tarique also reaffirmed the government’s strong stance against drugs, terrorism and corruption, saying crimes such as violence against women and children, theft, robbery, organised crime, juvenile gangs, financial fraud and online gambling remained major concerns.
‘Ordinary people are becoming victims of these crimes every day,’ he said.
He directed police to intensify drives against drug suppliers and trafficking networks through strict enforcement of the law.
Referring to the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the prime minister said modern policing now required greater use of technology, including cyber police units, artificial intelligence and big data analysis.
‘With this goal, the government is committed to building a modern technology-based policing system,’ he said.
The prime minister also underscored the government’s commitment to protecting human rights and ensuring the rule of law.
‘Enforced disappearance, abduction, or extrajudicial activities are not acceptable in any way,’ he said, adding that protecting citizens’ rights was both a constitutional and moral duty of every police official.
He said the government wanted to strengthen the professionalism and institutional dignity of the Bangladesh Police by prioritising merit, qualifications, efficiency and integrity in recruitment, transfers and promotions.
Tarique further said the government was considering measures to improve the welfare of police personnel, including modern training, better housing, quality healthcare facilities, increased ration and risk allowances and other benefits.
Admitting that the government faced major challenges after taking office, he said it inherited weak governance, corruption, a fragile economy and deteriorating law and order conditions.
‘In such a reality, it is not possible for us to fulfil all expectations within a few weeks or a few months. But we will never step back from gradually implementing every commitment,’ he said.
Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed, inspector general of police Md Ali Hossain Fakir and senior government officials attended the programme.
