Cops want own commission with sweeping powers

After facing accusations of systemic corruption and harsh criticism for furthering Awami League’s political agenda, the police force has proposed an independent commission with sweeping powers to ensure accountability and neutrality of the law enforcers.

This oversight body, which will have the power to make top appointments within the police force, will also be responsible for policies on recruitment, transfers and promotions that is expected to end a long-held practice of handpicking individuals.

Bangladesh’s top police official recently submitted a draft of the proposed “Police Commission” to Safar Raj Hossain, head of the Police Reform Commission, which is expected to recommend a raft of reform measures for the police.

“We have submitted a report to the commission proposing reforms, including a police commission,” Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam told The Daily Star on December 29.

The commission’s goals are to ensure that police remain neutral, independent, and committed to protecting human rights in alignment with public expectations. Additionally, it aims to safeguard the rule of law and protect individual liberties.

The proposed police commission’s framework was drawn up in line with an online survey by the Police Reform Commission. Among the 14,389 respondents, 58.9 percent supported the creation of a separate oversight body to ensure police accountability and protect them from external interference, according to police officials involved in the process.

“We have received a proposal from the IGP that suggests a constitutional commission,” Safar Raj told The Daily Star recently.

A member of the reform commission said the commission is set to include the police proposal as an annex to the its final report.

It would also recommend a police commission without specifying a format, he said wishing anonymity.

COMMISSION’S STRUCTURE

The proposed police commission will comprise 11 members with a retired Appellate Division judge or a retired IGP as the chairperson.

The members will include four MPs — two from the ruling party and two from opposition parties. The names would be recommended by the parliament speaker in consultation with the prime minister and leader of the opposition.

The commission will also include four non-political personalities — a legal expert, a human rights activist, a retired IGP and one academician on social science or policing. These four people, one of whom will be female, will be appointed by the president from a list of six that will be forwarded by a selection committee.

Besides, the home secretary and incumbent IGP will be ex-officio members with the IGP serving as member secretary.

The Chief Justice or an Appellate Division judge nominated by the top judge will head the selection committee which will include the heads of Anti-Corruption Commission, Bangladesh Comptroller and Auditor General, National Human Rights Commission and either a retired secretary or a retired IGP.

COMMISSION’S FUNCTION

The commission will recommend a panel of three officers not below the rank of additional inspectors general to the president for IGP appointment.

The top cop’s tenure will range between two and three years, irrespective of the retirement age.

The proposed commission is envisioned also to have the authority to remove an IGP, if majority of the commission agree with the decision.

It will also recommend names for appointments to important positions, including heads of police training institutions, specialised units, deputy inspectors general (DIGs), metropolitan commissioners and district superintendents.

Each appointment, according to the proposal, will be for two years.

Additionally, the commission will formulate policies on recruitment, transfers, promotions and other service matters.

“This will put an end to the practice of picking officers for promotions and lucrative positions based on their political loyalties,” said another reform commission member.

The proposed commission will also draft a national public safety policy, and police related laws, rules and regulations if and when necessary.

It will also be responsible to determine the scope of lawful use of force and plan police training, capacity building and formation of specialised units as and when required.

COMISSION’S TENURE

The tenure of the police commission’s members will be four years. The MPs will cease to be on the commission if the parliament is dissolved, while appointment to the commission will be limited to just one term.

Loan defaulters, aliens,tax dodgers, embezzlers, criminals or office bearers of the republic, among others, will not be eligible to be a member of the commission.

The government will provide necessary resources, including permanent and temporary staffers and allocate sufficient funds based on the commission’s proposal, reads the draft proposal.

COMPLAINT MANAGEMENT

The commission will oversee a complaint management committee consisting of three members of the commission which will act as an appellate authority for the existing complaint management system against policemen.

Anyone not satisfied with the police headquarters’ investigation may appeal to this three-member committee.

This complaint committee will submit its report to the commission chairman for action.

The commission will also form a three-member Grievance Redress Committee to resolve problems that police officers may be facing.