Police must be de-politicised and pro-people

We are in total agreement with the participants at The Daily Star's roundtable on police reforms that the police can never be again abused for political gains. The speakers at the event, including lawyers, politicians, academics, and the current and former police officials, were forthright in their criticisms and recommendations for a pro-people force. But the key takeaway from the discussions is that an independent commission is crucial for true reforms to take place.

Given the proper mandate and resources, an independent commission would help free the police from political manipulation, allow them to carry out their duties by strictly adhering to the law. It would improve accountability by making sure that police misconduct is fairly investigated without external interference. It would establish professional standards for promotions and make the police a people-friendly force. It would also strengthen public trust by ensuring that human rights are protected in all interactions and that citizens' complaints are addressed.

As discussed at the roundtable, although the Police Reform Commission made some important recommendations, none of them were even discussed in the National Consensus Commission's series of talks with political parties. According to an NCC member, although all political parties agreed to have an independent police commission during the talks, the home ministry opposed the idea. This is disappointing and puzzling. Furthermore, earlier this month, the interim government announced the establishment of two commissions for the police: the Independent Investigation Services, headed by the law adviser, and the Internal Complaints Commission, headed by the home adviser. Essentially, both the commissions will be controlled by the government. How this will truly make the police force free of political influence can be called to question.

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When will we see effective govt action?

However, we are heartened by the candidness with which representatives of some main political parties spoke about the need to de-politicise the police force. During the past regime, we saw how the government used the police force to persecute opposition activists and ordinary citizens. The cold-blooded killing of protesters by police and other forces during the mass uprising last year was the grossest example of manipulation. Politicisation has also led to corruption pervading the forces. Extortion, torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearance and custodial death over the decades have given the police force a frightening image. The flurry of false or flimsy cases and increase in mob violence in recent times has also resulted in public trust in the police drop to an all-time low. Meanwhile, police morale and efficiency have also nosedived.

Police reform can only be truly meaningful and effective through a body that is completely unbiased and professional. Only an independent police commission can ensure that. Hence, the government must ensure that the commission remains free of any and all outside influence—political or otherwise.