The interim government’s decision to form two separate commissions for the police—the Independent Investigation Services and the Internal Complaints Commission—marks a significant step toward ensuring accountability in law enforcement. For a country where allegations of police bias, politicisation, and impunity are rife, such initiatives are not only welcome but essential.
For decades, the police have been accused of working under political influence rather than in accordance with law. Successive governments have used the force to harass opponents, eroding public trust and undermining the rule of law. Allegations of corruption, underhand dealings, and human rights violations are most frequently directed against the police, the very institution entrusted with protecting citizens.
The idea of independent oversight is not new. Countries like the UK, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong have established similar bodies, and Bangladesh itself flirted with the concept during the caretaker government of 2007. Then, too, a draft ordinance was prepared to free the police from political control and replace the colonial-era Police Act of 1861. But resistance from vested interest groups meant that reform never materialised.
This time, the advisory council has decided to split the proposed commission into two. The Independent Investigation Services will focus on handling allegations against police personnel, ensuring probes free from political interference. The Internal Complaints Commission, meanwhile, will deal with grievances within the force, addressing issues of recruitment, promotion, postings, training, welfare, and transparency in police management.
According to the current plan, the Independent Investigation Services will be chaired by the law adviser or minister, while the Internal Complaints Commission will be chaired by the home adviser or minister, with the Inspector General of Police as member secretary. Rights activists, retired judges, and senior police officers are also expected to play a role. The commissions will work under the law ministry, with the home ministry overseeing implementation.
The move follows the Police Reform Commission’s report submitted to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus earlier this year, which strongly recommended establishing a neutral and independent commission. The cabinet division endorsed this recommendation in March, urging action. The announcement, therefore, signals a long-overdue translation of intent into policy.
However, challenges remain. Different proposals about the commissions’ composition—whether nine-member or eleven-member bodies, chaired by a retired justice or former IGP—reveal a lack of consensus. More worryingly, critics warn that splitting the initiative into two commissions may dilute effectiveness and create bureaucratic hurdles. Past experience shows how easily such reforms can stall.
Yet, the principle stands firm: without independent oversight, the police cannot be reformed. As Dhaka University’s Towhidul Haque rightly noted, “An independent police commission is vital to remove political and bureaucratic control over the force—there is no alternative.”
The interim government must now ensure that these commissions do not remain on paper, as in 2007. Public trust in law enforcement depends on accountability and transparency. A people-friendly, professional police force will only emerge if these reforms are implemented in letter and spirit, resisting resistance from vested interests.
This initiative, if executed properly, can mark a milestone in police reform—helping Bangladesh move from politicised policing toward a service that protects citizens without fear or favour. The nation must not let this opportunity slip away again.
