The number of female police officials needs to be increased as they, like their male counterparts, are working at grassroots level to check crime, said Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
“Policewomen also work for the development of women,” she said while addressing the inauguration of the Second National Conference of Bangladesh Women Police Network (BWPN) at Police Staff College Bangladesh in the capital yesterday.
Commenting on the work environment of female police, Shirin said: “Women police officials work in some places where they have only male colleagues. If the number of female police officers is increased, they will feel comfortable when working with their male colleagues.”
She praised the police reform programme (PRP) as its second phase was running in collaboration with UNDP, DFID and EC.
The speaker inaugurated the new website of the BWPN during the programme.
Deputy Inspector General Mili Bishwas, who is also the President of BWPN, said the network now has seven regional committees capable of solving the problems of women police officials outside the capital.
National Project Director of PRP and Additional Inspector General Mokhlesur Rahman said: “The Police Act formulated during the British period in 1861 is still effective in Bangladesh but it needs to be reformed. I would request the speaker to take immediate steps to reform the age-old law.”
He said female police members outperformed their male colleagues in various different police stations and gained the trust of people.
“If the act is reformed, policewomen will get more opportunities to prove themselves,” he added.
At present, female police officials comprise 5.26% of the total police force, a number which was only 2% in 2008, said State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan
