Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Sajjat Ali has announced the conclusion of the so-called "Helmet Force" era came to an end following the public uprising on August 5 in an event on Thursday.
Addressing a question during the annual prize distribution ceremony of the Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (CRAB) on Thursday, Sajjat Ali said: "The era of the Helmet Force is over. Those incidents are a thing of the past."
The Helmet Force was infamous for its involvement in attacks on journalists during several past movements, leading to multiple unresolved cases.
Responding to queries about previous instances of police misconduct, including assaults and shootings targeting journalists during their professional duties, Sajjad Ali emphasised that such incidents are unacceptable.
He assured the public that DMP is committed to addressing any future complaints. “Why would we attack journalists or anyone for that matter? Police are here to serve the people, not to harm them," he said.
The commissioner underscored the importance of discipline among police personnel, urging CRAB’s leadership to promptly report any such incidents for immediate investigation and action.
"As the DMP Commissioner, I apologize to the residents of Dhaka for the chaos and harmful activities during the July-August period. I assure the citizens that my team and I are dedicated to safeguarding lives and property with the support of all stakeholders," he added.
