Police are going to be appointed to Bangladeshi embassies abroad, after repeated demands from the police over the last few years.
This year, the demand was again placed in front of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the beginning of Police Week on Monday. The prime minister gave her consent at a meeting held with the police, at her office, on Tuesday.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (administration) of police headquarters Habibur Rahman said: "It is a very good thing now that the prime minister has given her consent. We will discuss the matter and take further steps."
According to affiliated sources, there are more than 60 Bangladeshi embassies and missions in different countries. In some of these countries, the embassies operate in several cities.
Other than Foreign Ministry officials under ambassadors or high commissioners, economic and admin cadres are also appointed to these places. Police have been demanding their members be appointed as well, for which the prime minister granted permission.
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On Monday, during the inauguration of Police Week at the prime minister's office, DIG of highway police Atiqul Islam said: "There are Bangladeshi immigrants all across the world, whose remittances provide valuable contributions to the economy. A lot of the time, these people get into legal trouble like police clearance or money laundering.
"Aside from that, a few Bangladeshi citizens are plotting against the country," he said. "A lot of these culprits are participating in cyber crime. The economy is becoming affected by money laundering. "
In that case, if police are kept in deputation, the immigrants and the state both will benefit, the DIG said.
The prime minister, at the meeting, said: "I had instructed that officers be sent to Bangladeshi embassies, and I thought they would send an officer from the Special Branch of the police. However, only administrative officers were sent.
"The police can solve or extend their help to immigrants facing problems regarding staying abroad, which is why I think they should be appointed," she said.
An officer ranked equivalent to a DIG opined at the meeting that the kind of work required in embassies and missions can only be assigned to officers with ranks equivalent to police superintendents or assistant police superintendents; going above that would be inappropriate.
However, another police officer disagreed, saying: "Considering the scope of the embassies' work, officers with a similar rank status as joint secretary or assistant secretary should be sent."
Under the ambassadors or high commissioners, officers ranking as consular first secretary, second secretary, and third secretary are appointed. Other than that, officers are also designated for consular services, information, or labour council departments.
Generally, Foreign Ministry officials are appointed under the ambassadors or high commissioners. Police officers might be given the responsibility of a post aside from the ones designated to ministry officials.
Police say that if they are appointed abroad, they can help immigrants with legal problems and also prevent crime by investigating criminals based on other countries.