The police chief yesterday apologised to the public for the misdeeds of some his staff, at press briefing at the force’s headquarters in Dhaka.
“Just as some citizens break the law, some police officers have committed excesses and have acted contrary to the spirit of the force,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque said.
The briefing was organised on the eve of the Police Week 2016, which comes at a time when several members of the force have been suspended or closed for allegedly harassing civilians, including government employees.
“The law is there to take actions if anyone breaks it. But that does not mean assaulting anyone,” the police chief said. “If anyone breaks the law, field officials should take that person to police stations and take appropriate actions after discussing with higher officials.”
“But we have zero tolerance for it and are punishing the offenders,” he said.
In the last five years, some 709 police officers appealed in the courts against departmental complaints against them. The court let 293 police officers return to their jobs.
“This proves that we were not merciful to offenders, but the courts later decided to reinstate them,” Shahidul said.
Asked why departmental actions were taken against those staff members, the police boss said offences include irregularities, excess use of power and misbehaviour.
The police chief, however, requested all to think about the environment that police members work in, their limitations and citizens’ mindset of not obeying laws.