Bangladesh Police in new uniforms have been worn by members of the force.
Police in all metropolitan police and specialized units of the country, including the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), have been wearing new uniforms since Saturday. However, district police have not received them yet. Police officials said that they will also receive new uniforms in phases.
The interim government approved new uniforms after demand arose for reform and changes to the police force, which has been under criticism since allegations of repression during the anti-discrimination movement. As part of this Metropolitan police have been given new iron-colored uniforms. Specialized police units such as the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Tourist Police, Highway Police, and Navy will wear these uniforms.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of the Police Headquarters’ Media and Public Relations Department, AHM Shahadat Hossain, told Prothom Alo that district and range police will wear the new uniforms in phases. However, the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) and Special Protection Battalion (SPBN), specialized police units, will retain their previous uniforms.
Earlier, Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, “The decision to change the uniform has been made. For the police, for the RAB and for the Ansar. Three have been selected. It will be implemented gradually. Everything cannot be done at once.”
The interim government hopes that the mentality of police members will change along with the uniform. This government has also taken initiatives to reform the police. For this, an independent police commission is being formed.
