Seeking police services: 38% faced harassment, 31% paid bribes

Forty percent of 2,040 university-level students who participated in a recent survey reported paying bribes or facing harassment while seeking police services, while only 10.5 percent experienced smooth service.
The study, conducted by Dhaka University's Department of Development Studies found that 37.9 percent of respondents faced harassment, 9 percent relied on government officials' recommendations, 31.2 percent used bribes, gifts, or political influence, and 11.2 percent reported never receiving any service.
Respondents alleged that police often avoid accepting complaints against powerful political leaders or government officials.
Conducted by the Centre on Budget and Policy Research Group on Governance and Public Policy, the study employed a mixed-method approach, including 20 focus group discussions with 250 participants from nine institutions.
Of the total 2,040 respondents, 1,038 were students from public universities, 395 from private universities, 508 from colleges affiliated with the National University or other public universities, and 99 from Fazil and Kamil madrasas.
Among the respondents, 35.7 percent were aged 22–23, 30.2 percent were 20–21, 22 percent were 24–25, 5.1 percent were 25 or older, and 7 percent were under 19.
The findings, presented yesterday at the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of Dhaka University, were shared by Professor Kazi Maruful Islam at a seminar titled "Building a People-Friendly, Accountable and Professional Policing System in Bangladesh 2.0: Students' Expectations and Reform Proposals."
Students highlighted police officers' tendency to favour individuals based on social and economic status, with many respondents accusing police of being a political tool for the ruling party.
Around 70 percent of respondents recommended enacting and implementing laws to ensure police remain free from political interference.
Another 63.09 percent emphasised the importance of police ethics training, focusing on responsibility, political neutrality, and good practices.
Additionally, 68.5 percent suggested establishing anonymous public complaint centres, while 8 percent advocated increasing police manpower.
Nearly 70 percent urged the publication of weekly updates on complaint and investigation progress on police station websites. About 25 percent suggested arranging monthly public hearings at police stations to improve accountability.
A significant 80 percent of respondents called for a politics-free, independent police commission, while 50 percent proposed establishing such a commission to oversee recruitment processes.
Respondents recommended the commission manage recruitment exams, handle human resources issues, and ensure police accountability.
Moreover, 42.79 percent advocated conducting recruitment exams through the Public Service Commission, while 40.93 percent called for regular salary increases, especially for lower-ranked officers.
To modernise police services, 31 percent of participants suggested installing body cameras on uniforms, while 30 percent advised digitising services. Community policing initiatives were backed by 11.23 percent.
Further suggestions included publishing progress updates on complaints (71.27 percent) and ensuring access to information (59.71 percent).
Participants also stressed the need for public engagement, with 32.21 percent recommending increased police interaction with citizens and 25.15 percent advocating monthly public hearings.
Jan-Hinrik Meyer-Sahling, professor of Political Science at the University of Nottingham, along with professors Taiabur Rahman and Asif Mohammad Shahan, and assistant professor Abul Bashar Md Omor Faruque, spoke at the seminar.
They said the colonial-era Police Act of 1861 should be reformed to meet the needs of modern-day Bangladesh, ensuring a professional and accountable policing system.
Comments