Editorial
Is the public truly being served?
Increase professionalism to better image
A study conducted by the Dhaka University's Criminology and Criminal Justice department has found an overwhelming number of respondents expressing satisfaction with the services provided by Dhaka Metropolitan Police. The fact that the study was mainly funded by the police department and the thin spread of sample size in the study may have contributed to a sharp contrast with the outcome of the survey carried out by Transparency International Bangladesh that put the law enforcement agency in the docks along with political parties as being heavily corrupt.
The police force works within various limitations including its numerical strength that is largely employed in traffic management, VIP duties and keeping an eye on political programmes so that the force is thinly spread countrywide as far as crime control activities go. There is no denying that this is one agency whose actions are heavily influenced by the party in power and therefore this paper has always advocated for police reform to change all that. There is dire need for better training, instilling service mentality, better pay, living conditions and equipment for the police to effectively maintain law and order in an increasingly sophisticated criminal world.
For people's perceptions to change about law enforcement agency's heavy handed dealings, the force needs to evolve into a professional outfit that is free of political interference. Only when public needs and interests are protected can the police expect a change in people's general perception of the force as one dedicated to service of the people.
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