Police Must Earn Public Trust by Upholding Spirit of July Uprising: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has called on Bangladesh Police to embrace the spirit, aspirations and expectations of the July student-led mass uprising and transform itself into a modern, technology-driven, humane and people-oriented institution to regain public trust.

He also warned that any officer found involved in disciplinary violations, unprofessional conduct or criminal activities would face departmental action as well as prosecution under existing laws.

The home minister made the remarks while addressing a medal awarding ceremony of Police Week 2026 as chief guest at Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh, Dhaka, on Saturday morning.

Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir chaired the programme. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manzur Morshed Chowdhury attended as special guest, while Additional IGP (HRM) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam delivered the welcome address.

Additional IGP (Administration) AKM Awlad Hossain was also present on stage.

Congratulating the recipients, Salahuddin Ahmed said receiving a state honour was not merely recognition of professional achievement but also placed greater responsibility on them to serve the country and its people.

Referring to the previous government, the minister said police had been politically misused and placed in confrontation with the people. He said the present government had been working over the past seven months to restore the image of police and rebuild public confidence through institutional, legal and administrative reforms.

The greatest strength of police is public trust. No law enforcement agency can play an effective long-term role without the confidence of the people,he said.

The home minister said the government wanted to build a police force that would be modern in terms of skills and professionalism, technologically capable, humane in its conduct, firm in enforcing the law, impartial in discharging its duties and worthy of the people's trust and reliance.

He urged personnel to internalise these principles and reflect them in day-to-day responsibilities, rather than treating them merely as words spoken at a formal event.

On strengthening capacity and reforming the legal framework, Salahuddin Ahmed said reforms had been undertaken in various agencies, including the Rapid Action Battalion, currently known as SRB, with the aim of ensuring greater transparency in legal and institutional frameworks while taking public expectations and international human rights standards into consideration.

He added that a new law had also been enacted to further modernise the Armed Police Battalion, including provisions granting it necessary investigative powers where applicable.

At the ceremony, the minister formally handed over Bangladesh Police Medal, BPM-Service, President's Police Medal and PPM-Service to 92 members.

The recipients were recognised for acts of bravery, honesty, professional efficiency and dedication, as well as for commendable service, crime control, solving important cases and public service.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Headquarters, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, medal recipients and their family members and journalists from print and electronic media attended the programme.