Irregularities by cops continue despite departmental action

Departmental action has not helped curb crimes by police personnel in the Barishal Metropolitan Police (BMP) and district police.

Even after being punished, a section of policemen have been found to be involved in drug trading in recent times. Senior police officials say they have been punished by the department. But civil society demands their dismissal from service, saying departmental action has failed to control police crimes.

According to official police sources, a total of 678 policemen of the BMP and district police—had been departmentally punished for their involvement in various crimes and irregularities from January 1, 2018 to August 30, 2019.

Of them, 63 received heavy and 585 light punishment, while 26 faced departmental inquiries. The crimes and irregularities they were involved in were illegal toll collection, drug peddling, atrocities on women and delaying cases.

However, most of them are back in service at the end of their punishment. But crimes by cops seem to continue. In fact, the involvement of the police in the drug trade is said to be increasing.

On September 22, two police constables were arrested by the Detective Branch from a house in the Nathullabad area of the city with 250 pieces of yaba tablets. They were identified as Md Imran Hawladar and Md. Salauddin, constables of the public order management department.

Following a judicial court order, they were sent to a day’s remand.

On September 15, officers in-charge of Barishal Bandar police station and Airport police station were removed from their posts due to separate allegations.

Md Syful Islam, super of Barishal district police, the BMP authorities formed several probe committees during the past 20 months to investigate allegations levelled against policement.

Based on the probe reports, the authorities punished the erring policemen, he added.

But police records show that new crimes are still being committed by policemen. Punishments such as suspension, freezing increment, black marks, admonition, and demotion do not look like adequate measures to stop this tendency.

BMP Commissioner Md Shahbuddin Khan said departmental surveillance and motivational programmes should be stepped up to reduce such crimes. He also said that the nature of the punishment may have to be changed.

Enayet Hosen Chowdury, organising commander of Barishal Muktijodda Sangsad Command, said policemen involved in crimes should be sacked. Departmental action has proved ineffective in this regard, he added.

 

Irregularities by cops continue despite departmental action

Departmental action has not helped curb crimes by police personnel in the Barishal Metropolitan Police (BMP) and district police. Even after being punished, a section of policemen have been found to be involved in drug trading in recent times. Senior police officials say they have been punished by the department. But civil society demands their dismissal from service, saying departmental action has failed to control police crimes. According to official police sources, a total of 678 policemen of the BMP and district policehad been departmentally punished for their involvement in various crimes and irregularities from January 1, 2018 to August 30, 2019. Of them, 63 received heavy and 585 light punishment, while 26 faced departmental inquiries. The crimes and irregularities they were involved in were illegal toll collection, drug peddling, atrocities on women and delaying cases. However, most of them are back in service at the end of their punishment. But crimes by cops seem to continue. In fact, the involvement of the police in the drug trade is said to be increasing. On September 22, two police constables were arrested by the Detective Branch from a house in the Nathullabad area of the city with 250 pieces of yaba tablets. They were identified as Md Imran Hawladar and Md. Salauddin, constables of the public order management department. Following a judicial court order, they were sent to a days remand. On September 15, officers in-charge of Barishal Bandar police station and Airport police station were removed from their posts due to separate allegations. Md Syful Islam, super of Barishal district police, the BMP authorities formed several probe committees during the past 20 months to investigate allegations levelled against policement. Based on the probe reports, the authorities punished the erring policemen, he added. But police records show that new crimes are still being committed by policemen. Punishments such as suspension, freezing increment, black marks, admonition, and demotion do not look like adequate measures to stop this tendency. BMP Commissioner Md Shahbuddin Khan said departmental surveillance and motivational programmes should be stepped up to reduce such crimes. He also said that the nature of the punishment may have to be changed. Enayet Hosen Chowdury, organising commander of Barishal Muktijodda Sangsad Command, said policemen involved in crimes should be sacked. Departmental action has proved ineffective in this regard, he added.