SARDAH, RAJSHAHI, Sept 15, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today
called upon the probationary police officers to be “friend of the people”
during their bad time as she addressed the passing-out parade of the 36th BCS
batch of assistant superintendents of police (ASPs) here.
“Prepare your mindset to be friend of the people whenever they are in
danger as you are going to enter your professional life upon completion (one-
year) the basic training,” she told the function at Bangladesh Police Academy
in Sardah.
She expressed her firm belief that the new police officers would engage in
ensuring overall welfare of the country with their acquired knowledge,
discipline, professionalism, honesty, and integrity.
The premier reminded the fresher that their fathers, mothers, sisters and
brothers are among the people, saying, “So, you should dedicate yourselves to
serving the people.”
Recalling the first passing out parade of Bangladesh Police that was
reviewed by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on May 9,
in 1972, she said that Bangabandhu had developed the police force likewise
other organizations of the country.
The premier quoting Bangabandhu as saying, “You are the police of an
independent country. You are not the police of foreign ruler, but police of
the people. Your duty is to serve the people, love the people and help the
people in their bad days.”
The government has already introduced ‘999’ emergency service and people are
getting required help from the police after calling over the phone, she said,
adding, “You should do such works regularly.”
The prime minister highly appreciated the police force for their recent
recruitment of 10,000 police constables without committing any corruption and
getting bribes.
“This approach is helping police gain people’s confidence and trust in
them,” she said.
Urging the police members to gain people’s confidence and trust, the prime
minister said they will have to work in such a way that the people think that
the police will help them.
Recalling the contribution of police in the Liberation War, the premier
said that Bangladesh Police had been rewarded with the “Independence Award
2011” for their glorious contribution to the 1971 war.
She also directed the new ASPs to uphold the glorious role of Bangladesh
Police personnel during the Great War of Liberation following the path of
their predecessors with patriotism, professionalism and unbound bravery.
On her arrival near the saluting dais, the prime minister was received by
Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Mohammad
Javed Patwary and Principal of the Bangladesh Police Academy Mohammad Najibur
Rahman.
The premier was given a guard of honour by a smartly turned out police
contingent.
Ministers, parliament members, diplomats of different countries, high civil
and military officials were present on the occasion.
Probationary officer Sarmin Akter Chumki conducted the parade as the parade
commander.
The prime minister said that the government is continuously implementing
various development programmes for the police alongside providing them with
facilities such as accommodation, ration, treatment, logistics, vehicles and
trainings.
Sheikh Hasina took salute, reviewed the parade by riding on an open jeep
and distributed medals among the best probationary ASPs.
As many as 117 ASPs, including 17 female ones, took part in the training.
Among the trainees, Md Khairul Kabir received the award of “Best Shooter”,
while Md Abdullah-Al-Mamun of “Best Field Performer”, Md Salahuddin, of “Best
Horsemanship”, Saiful Islam Khan of “Best Academic” and Md Salahuddin of
“Best Probationer.”
The prime minister later planted sapling of a mango tree on the academy
campus.
She also took part in a photo session with the probationary officers.
The premier also cut a cake marking the passing out parade of the ASP’s
36th BCS batch.
Mentioning that the stable law and order situation is a pre-requisite for
the country’s development, Sheikh Hasina asked the police force to remain
alert to maintain the law and order for country’s overall development.
The prime minister said “The pace of economic activities is accelerated
through ensuring peace and stability,” adding that Bangladesh will be free
from hunger and poverty as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.
“Bangladesh is going ahead economically. The government is continuously
recruiting manpower in police for giving the people services. As many as
49,200 police personnel have already been recruited in the force,” she said.
She said to build a secured peaceful country, her government has been
implementing a massive work plan for raising overall capability of the police
by strengthening its infrastructure and human resources management.
The prime minister however highly appreciated the police force for
successfully containing the terrorism and militancy and asked them to
continue the ongoing crackdown on drugs until stamping out the social menace.
Highlighting various measures for the overall development of the police,
she said “We have formed various special units for Bangladesh police such as
“Anti-Terrorism Unit” for combating terrorism and militancy, industrial
police, Police Bureau of Investigation, tourist police, naval police and two
security and protection battalions.”
The premier also said that initiative has already been taken to form a
“Guard and Protection Police”.
She stressed the need for taking proper training to accelerate the
professional excellence of the police force.