Over 80,000 cops recruited in 15 years based on political ties: DMP chief

Over the past 15 years, more than 80,000 cops of the 2,00,000-member police force were recruited based on their political affiliations, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali.

"During that period, to determine the political affiliations of candidates, recruitment processes often involve scrutinising not only the candidates themselves but also their fathers, grandfathers, and even predecessors," he said at a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre in the capital today (9 December).

"Approximately 80,000 to 90,000 members of the total police force were recruited through this process. We cannot simply ask a vast number of police officers to leave." 

He added, "I apologise to Dhaka dwellers and people of the country for DMP's activities that went beyond professional boundaries during the student-mass uprising." 

He said DMP officials involved in the unprofessional conduct at that time have been transferred as punishment, and disciplinary actions have been taken against those responsible. "We have now started a new phase of service to people."

After 5 August, the law and order situation deteriorated when the police became inactive, leading to a rise in incidents of theft, robbery, and overall instability, Sajjat said. "With everyone's cooperation, we have managed to overcome these challenges."

The law and order situation would have deteriorated further if the police were not active. To make them more active, meetings are being held with the locals at every police station under the DMP, he added.

The DMP chief announced that police would very soon respond within one hour of the filing of a General Diary (GD) at any police station in the city.

He added that officers are currently undergoing a week-long training programme and will be deployed to police stations upon completion.

Speaking at the briefing, the DMP chief also expressed discontent with Dhaka's traffic management. 

"Commuters are ignoring the traffic rules. Street vendors occupy footpaths and motorbikes ply on footpaths. Since joining on 21 November, I have been closely observing these issues." 

He warned that if the rampant presence and reckless driving of battery-run rickshaws were not curbed, the city's roads could soon become unfit for vehicular movement.

"In Dhaka, the road space allocation should be 25%, but currently, it stands at only 7%. The battery-run auto-rickshaws, introduced during the previous government's term, are exacerbating traffic congestion. If their numbers keep increasing, there will soon be no room for vehicles in the city," he said, but assured that necessary steps would be taken to improve the fragile traffic system.

Expressing concern over the rising mugging incidents during early hours of the day, the DMP chief stated that he has directed the Detective Branch (DB) of police to stay alert and address these crimes proactively.

Citing extortion as one of the main reasons for the price hike of daily necessities, he called on everyone to refrain from paying any extortion.

In response to a question, he stated that they plan to introduce a complaint box and organise open discussions to collect public suggestions.

He also voiced concern about the increasing number of motorbike riders transporting their entire families on a single vehicle, emphasising the significant danger of such practices. "Police will take action if such practices are observed," he said.