[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Police and Rapid Action Battalion

[Saif]

DMP ramps up security measures

667 patrol teams deployed, 71 checkpoints set up in the city to tackle crimes in the last 24 hours

www.thedailystar.net

DMP ramps up security measures
667 patrol teams deployed, 71 checkpoints set up in city

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has significantly boosted security measures and operations in the capital in the last 24 hours to improve law and order.

According to a press release issued by DMP's media wing, 667 patrol teams were deployed and 71 checkpoints were set up in the city to tackle crimes.

During the intensified drive, law enforcers also arrested 239 individuals for various crimes, including robbery, extortion, drug dealing, and theft, it reads.

According to the DMP's Crime Command and Control Centre, the patrol teams operated in two shifts, with 340 teams active at night and 327 during the day. These included 479 mobile patrol teams, 73 foot patrol teams, and 115 motorcycle patrol teams. Additionally, 71 strategic checkpoints were set up at key locations.

Different law enforcement units, including the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU), and the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), were also deployed alongside regular police forces. The Armed Police Battalion (APBn) operated 20 additional checkpoints to bolster security measures.

During the special operation, law enforcers recovered various weapons, including two metal rods, a hammer, a machete, a cleaver, five knives, ten switchblades, a metal knuckle duster, and two crude bombs.

Additionally, a significant amount of illegal drugs was seized, including 41.65 kg of cannabis, 307 yaba pills, 36 grams of heroin, and 33 bottles of locally brewed liquor.

Among those arrested, seven were identified as robbers, 20 as professional muggers, four as extortionists, 10 as thieves, and 17 as known drug dealers. Twenty-three individuals with warrants issued against their names were also apprehended.

DMP filed 73 cases in connection with the arrests and assured that legal action was being taken against the arrestees.

"The safety and security of Dhaka's residents remain our top priority. We will continue our operations to ensure a crime-free city," said Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman PPM, from DMP's Media and Public Relations Division.

DMP has urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement to maintain peace and order in the capital.​

 

[Saif]

Auxiliary police force: DMP appoints 500 security guards

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has appointed around 500 security personnel working in various residential areas, markets, and shopping centres across the capital as members of the “Auxiliary Police Force”.

www.thedailystar.net

Auxiliary police force: DMP appoints 500 security guards
Experts emphasise supervision

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has appointed around 500 security personnel working in various residential areas, markets, and shopping centres across the capital as members of the "Auxiliary Police Force".

The appointments were given under Section 10 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1976, by DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali.

The ordinance, under its "Constitution and Organisation of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police" section, empowers the police commissioner to appoint auxiliary officers to assist law enforcement when additional support is required.

Subsection (2)(b) of Section 10 further stipulates that auxiliary officers, upon appointment, shall have the same powers, immunities, duties, and authority as regular police officers.

The designated auxiliary members will be legally protected, similar to regular police officers.

"If anyone obstructs an auxiliary member from performing their duties or attacks them, legal action will be taken against the offender," SN Nazrul Islam, additional commissioner (crime and operations) of DMP, told The Daily Star.

The auxiliary members will be able to make arrests: they will hand over detainees to the designated police patrol team or the nearest police station, and the police will then investigate the complaint, and after a preliminary inquiry, lawful action will be taken based on the findings.

Asked about the selection process, Nazrul said the DMP has identified malls and markets that already have private security guards.

"We appointed the team leaders of these security guards as auxiliary force members," he said.

In residential areas, the DMP focused on localities and alleys where security guards lock the gates after a specific time. "We have chosen these guards as members of the auxiliary police force."

When asked whether the auxiliary officers would receive training, Nazrul said the initiative is temporary.

"We will not provide any training. They will only wear a band labelled 'Auxiliary Police Force' on their arms."

Addressing concerns of misuse of power, Nazrul assured that strict monitoring mechanisms are in place.

"Our patrol teams and local police stations will supervise the activities of auxiliary members round the clock. If any member is found abusing their authority, their appointment will be terminated immediately."

Nazrul said the move aims to bring a large number of security guards working in malls and residential areas under greater accountability.

"We want to boost their confidence as they act as associates of the police in ensuring security. Once their work receives legal protection, petty crimes in alleys and marketplaces are expected to decrease, enhancing overall security," he said.

Earlier on Saturday, DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali said that the initiative was introduced to enhance security during Ramadan and Eid shopping, as many shopping centres will remain open late into the night.

Experts have welcomed the move but emphasised the importance of supervision, background verification, and training to ensure its effectiveness.

Many private security organisations employ retired armed forces personnel and former police officers, according to Nurul Huda, a former inspector general of police.

"A significant number of these individuals have experience in firearm handling and minor investigations. This makes them a ready force, whereas recruiting and training new personnel properly would take at least six to nine months."

Supervision is essential to ensure that those appointed are properly vetted, Huda said.

Verification must be done to confirm their background, and if there are any training gaps, they can be addressed in seven to ten days.

He acknowledged that there is added pressure due to Ramadan as security duties increase during this time.

"Shopping malls remain open late and ensuring security with standard eight-hour shifts requires three shifts per day to meet international standards."

Besides, many key police positions in the DMP are now occupied by newly appointed officers.

"Handling law enforcement in a metropolitan city like Dhaka requires extensive local knowledge and a well-established information network, which some new officials may still be developing," he said.

He remains optimistic about this initiative.

"Rather than dismissing this as a failure, it should be seen as an experiment. If it proves effective, it could be a model for future security arrangements."​

 

[Saif]

A questionable move by DMP

Giving security guards police power raises concerns

www.thedailystar.net

A questionable move by DMP
Giving security guards police power raises concerns

VISUAL: STAR

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police's (DMP) decision to empower private security personnel with the power to detain individuals suspected of crimes has raised concerns. While its objective—to bolster security during Ramadan and Eid—seems reasonable, the delegation of such powers to untrained private guards risks creating more problems than it solves. Under this initiative, as revealed by the DMP commissioner recently, guards deployed in shopping malls, residential areas, and markets—potential crime hotspots during festival/holiday seasons—will serve as members of an "Auxiliary Police Force," wearing official bands and having the power to make arrests if necessary. Already, the appointment of around 500 such police assistants has been confirmed.

The move blurs the line between trained law enforcement officers and private security guards, whose primary role is to monitor and report incidents, not to enforce the law. Unlike police officers, private guards do not undergo the same rigorous training, ethical scrutiny or legal oversight. Granting them the authority to arrest people without proper training invites the possibility of abuse. The question is: how will the DMP prevent this scenario, especially when those will be unaccompanied by police?

The question here is not about the legality of the move—which is being taken under the DMP Ordinance, 1976—but rather its security and accountability risks. First of all, the move blurs the line between trained law enforcement officers and private security guards, whose primary role is to monitor and report incidents, not to enforce the law. Unlike police officers, private guards do not undergo the same rigorous training, ethical scrutiny or legal oversight. Granting them the authority to arrest people without proper training invites the possibility of abuse. The question is: how will the DMP prevent this scenario, especially when those will be unaccompanied by police?

The DMP commissioner has stated that auxiliary officers will be "legally protected" like police officers, but does that mean they will also be held to the same accountability standards? If an auxiliary officer makes an unjust arrest or uses excessive force, will they face the same consequences as a regular officer? There's a potential legal grey area that could lead to chaos and further insecurity. We must say that this decision reflects poorly on the DMP's capacity to do its job. The commissioner has cited the limited number of police personnel and the need to grant officers leave for Eid as justifications for the move. While we acknowledge the resource constraints amid increasing street crimes, the answer is not to outsource policing, however temporarily, to private security personnel.

The DMP should be credited for boosting security measures in the capital in recent days. According to its media wing, 667 patrol teams have been deployed and 71 checkpoints have been set up to tackle crimes. While this and other factors have likely stretched the force thin, the decision to delegate police powers to private guards is almost as troubling as the Awami League government's move to grant similar powers to Ansar shortly before the 2024 election. Similar misuse concerns also arose after the interim government granted magistracy powers to commissioned army officers in September. So, instead of hastily delegating such powers, what the DMP should do is focus on strengthening its own capacity.​

 

[Saif]

Hotline launched at Police HQ to prevent violence against women

A hotline service has been launched at Police Headquarters to take swift action against women repression, aggressive gestures towards women, slander, eve teasing and sexual harassment.

en.prothomalo.com

Hotline launched at Police HQ to prevent violence against women
UNB
Dhaka
Published: 10 Mar 2025, 18: 42

Bangladesh Police logo

A hotline service has been launched at Police Headquarters to take swift action against women repression, aggressive gestures towards women, slander, eve teasing and sexual harassment.

If such an incidents happen anywhere in the country, complaints can be made to the hotline numbers which will be available round the clock, said a media release issued on Monday.

The hotline numbers are—01320002001, 01320002002 and 01320002222.

Besides, the Police Cyber Support for Women Facebook page is still operational to provide legal services and protection to the victims of cybercrimes.

Bangladesh Police follows a zero-tolerance policy to maintain law and order and prevent crime as well as prevent repression on women and children.

It also is committed to taking appropriate legal actions against the repressors of women and children, said the release.​