Challenges in Policing: Living conditions appalling at some police barracks

In one of Dhaka city's most affluent neighbourhoods, the barrack of Banani Police Station stands in stark contrast to its surroundings.

Amid high-rises and luxury apartments, the police personnel tasked with guarding the posh area live in conditions barely fit for habitation.

The ground floor of the three-storey structure on Banani Road-7 houses the offices of the officer-in-charge, duty officer, two inspectors, the armoury, and the custody cell. There is no separate space for female detainees.

Part 1 - Challenges in Policing: Police stations buckling under budget strain

Trunks and bags are piled up on the staircase landings. On the first floor, a hand-written sign reads "Offices of ASI and SI".

But inside, there are no desks or chairs -- only narrow camp beds with threadbare mosquito nets overhead.

"This is our office. We prepare case reports and store evidence here. Unlike other stations, we have no desks. We do paperwork, sitting on beds," said a sub-inspector (SI), seeking anonymity.

"Mosquitoes are not the main problem here, bedbugs are," said a constable.

The second floor, with a tin roof just seven to eight feet high, is crammed with 42 beds.

They have just two toilets on this floor, and a common bathroom.  

In an around 600-square-foot cramped space on this floor, about 20 constables sleep shoulder to shoulder on beds packed tightly together, leaving no space in between.

Suitcases, trunks and other belongings like towels and lungis are stacked in the corners.

It feels suffocating inside, as there are no overhead fans.

"Installation of overhead fans is not possible due to the low height of the ceiling. Several of us have to share one stand fan," a constable told these correspondents during a visit to the station on October 5.

"There are no cleaners. We sweep and wash the floors and clean everything after duty hours. Only then we can rest," said another constable.

Constable Rashidul Haque said he, along with 10 other police members, had to sleep on the floor of the around 200-square-foot prayer room on the second floor after he joined the station in October last year.

"I had to wait three months to get a bed on the second floor… But the living area is stretched beyond its limits," he said.

Russell Sarowar, officer-in-charge (OC) of the station, admitted that the living conditions are appalling.

"The available space is grossly inadequate for the 130 members stationed here," he said, adding that 85 policemen, who are mostly constables, live in the barrack. The others, mainly SIs and ASIs, rent houses and live with their families.  

Sarowar said the station faces a shortage of policemen, forcing it to form patrol teams of just two while three to four officials are required for such teams. 

The limited living space has forced the authorities to keep the number of policemen at the station low, the OC clarified.

"Senior officials are aware of the situation. They are exploring options for land to build a new complex, but no decision has been made yet," he added.

Conditions are no better at Shah Ali Police Station in Mirpur 1. A small three-storey building can barely accommodate the constables.

Golam Azam, the OC of Shah Ali Police Station, said most of the 145 members posted there live on the first and second floors or in temporary sheds. Like Banani, the SIs and ASIs of Shah Ali have rented houses to live with their families.

The footpaths outside have been turned into makeshift quarters with tin roofs where constables endure sweltering heat and mosquito attacks in the summer.

"There is no kitchen. We eat at nearby restaurants, spending around Tk 6,000 each a month. The cost could have been cut significantly if we could cook," said a constable of the station, requesting anonymity.

Those who do not get space to sleep at the quarters go to a nearby community centre. "When it gets too crowded even there, some end up sleeping on the veranda of an adjacent mosque," he said.

Another constable said the appalling condition hampers their sleep, and eventually impacts their work. "We can't even talk to our families over the phone privately at night," he said.      

The OC added that the station has no resting space for reserve police officers. They wait outside until their duty hours begin.

During a visit to the station on October 6, several policemen in uniform were seen waiting on footpaths, parked rickshaws or tea-stalls outside.

According to officers, 25 of Dhaka city's 50 police stations operate from rented buildings, while the rest are on land owned by the force. Many of the stations are in poor condition. Banani and Shah Ali are among the worst.

Police officials said some barracks have recently seen minor improvements following repairs and pest control. Still, for many, living conditions remain a daily struggle.

Several inspectors said it has become extremely difficult for many of them to ensure public security when they cannot rest properly after 12-14 hours of duty.

When contacted on October 6, Sarder Nurul Amin, additional inspector general (development) at the Police Headquarters, said a project has been taken up to develop and renovate barracks in 107 out of 639 police stations across the country.

"Construction and repairs of structures in 52 stations is expected to be completed within this fiscal year, and the rest by the next fiscal year," he said.

On July 2 last year, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a Tk 1,600-crore project for infrastructure development of 107 police stations.

"Besides, we have initiated another project for constructing 116 police outposts. The proposal will soon be sent to the home ministry for placing it before ECNEC for approval," he added.