Khaki used to be the traditional uniform for many establishments including the police and the army. It has been many decades now that the Khaki days are over, as we have developed a kind of serious disregard towards this particular colour which became a symbol of exploitation and torture. We wanted no semblance to be kept with erstwhile Pakistan, after all. The sentiment ran quite strongly in getting rid of khaki from our forces.
It is not the change in colour of uniform only. Many elements have undergone remarkable transformation in the police before we even got to where we are now. A policeman is much more well dressed and well equipped than one had been say 20 years ago. Their training has been modernized, outfits and equipment have been made comfortable and user friendly, weapons, ammunition, and devices they use all have undergone modification for the better.
Thus, you find a policeman with shiny boots, a decent uniform, effective communication equipment, stainless steel handcuffs dangling from waist, a weapon very handily ready to be used at any instant -- he looks agile and ready, keenly observing his surroundings, always on the lookout for an incident demanding his instant action.
In the last two decades, the Police in our country have received a tremendous boost in their salaries, perks and privileges, infrastructure, medical care, ration, and other unified facilities. To some extent, signs of militarization of the police are also visible. Bangladesh police have now got their own fleet of helicopters and armoured personnel carriers. These are more of a deterrent if anything.
There have been a number of branches and specializations created among the police such as SWAT, RAB, tourism police, river police, industrial police in addition to riot control police and armed police who have been with us for quite some time now. The police have their own staff college at Mirpur with a sprawling campus to boot. Bangladesh police have also participated in UN peacekeeping missions, which has added to their prestige and that of the nation.
But all these do not seem to have proportionately enhanced their levels of efficiency and state of alertness to face emergencies as part of basic policing. As you pass by a city intersection, you are bound to come across a few constables sitting and relaxing in front of random establishments. You will find that, most of the time, some individuals can be seen busy fiddling with their mobile phones. Well, their mere presence may act as a deterrent but unless they remain vigilant, alert, and on their guard, they themselves may fall prey to miscreants outwitting them.
An incident was reported in the media a few days ago where two criminals in conviction row managed to escape police custody from the court premises while they were being taken back after a hearing session in the court. It is simply unbelievable as to how it can happen. How such high value convicts could be paraded so carelessly that someone can just approach them, spray something into the eyes of a policeman, overpower him, and comfortably ride away with the convicts in tow.
Why was the area not scouted better? Why were the convicts being escorted by only one police person? It was said that the prisoners could not be handcuffed while they were produced before the court. Now that they were done with the court hearing, why were they not handcuffed when they came out of the courtroom?
In the news, it's not uncommon to see whole teams of police swarming celebrities and even regular people accused of minor wrongdoings, so why in this specific case of convicted extremists was the police escort so paltry? The police authority seems not too bothered with such criticisms. This is because of the importance given to certain persons for their prominence and popularity in society. But when it comes to convicts being handled, the bare minimum importance is given in view of their criminal identity and connections.
It's entirely easy to imagine how it went down: The culprits must have known the schedule and had followed meticulously the predicted time and place of when and where the convicts would be escorted to the van -- the ending of the court sessions and precise timing when they were being walked out. They must have been stealthily lying-in wait in a nearby alley while someone watching the constable waking the two convicts out very carefully. They must also have studied other significant details as to when they would have their handcuffs taken off.
Those few minutes must have been very precious for the perpetrators to come at the quick, utilize the pepper spray, and have their friends quickly get on the bike and vanish into the crowd before anybody even could think of chasing them.
Why was a single constable entrusted with such a vital task? Was he not supervised, briefed by any superior? Why weren't the court premises put under watch? Why wasn't a hazard analysis carried out? Just having two additional officers accompany the constable would most likely have avoided this altogether.
It seems the culprits were far more prepared and efficient in their operation than the police were, as the whole thing was carried out without any huge fusses that would have disrupted the public or put them in any sort of danger. Rather they preferred a very silent approach, it seems. Before the constable on duty could overcome the impact of the sudden pepper spray attack, he was incapacitated.
I would strongly suggest this incident be investigated thoroughly and for this episode to become all but an example for future police personnel of how things can go wrong when the right preparations are not made in such delicate and important situations.
Brig Gen Qazi Abidus Samad, ndc, psc is a freelance contributor.