Chapter 3
1. Definition and Core Objectives
Community Policing in Bangladesh is an approach where the police and the community work
closely together to solve problems related to crime, the fear of crime, physical and social
disorder, and neighborhood falloff. Promoted as an equal partnership between police and
citizens, it is very similar to the Western style of the Community Policing Forum (CPF).
The specific objectives of community policing in Bangladesh are to:
1. Minimize the gap between citizens and the police.
2. Raise public awareness.
3. Keep the people away from committing crimes.
4. Build citizens’ trust in the police.
5. Rehabilitate criminals.
6. Strengthen the rule of law and establish good governance.
2. History and Evolution in Bangladesh
Community policing began as a pilot initiative in the early 1990s involving the police, the United
Nations, NGOs, and community-based organizations. Its evolution includes several key
milestones:
• 1992: First introduced in Mymenshing District under the name “Town Defense Party”.
• Later (Early phase): Initiated in Natore District as the “Stick and whistle party”
(Lathi-Bashi Bahiny) specifically to protect businessmen from extortion and illegal
activities.
• 1995–1997: The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) introduced community policing for
the first time.
• 2000: Started its journey in the Rangpur district.
• 2005: The Asia Foundation launched a pilot project in Bogra, Jessore, and Madaripur.
• Mid-2007: The Rajshahi police range introduced community police almost entirely
across its range, forming the Community Policing Forum (CPF).
• 2006–2008: CPFs and Community Policing Committees (CPCs) were successfully
formed in different police stations all over Bangladesh.
3. Organizational Structure
Bangladesh police use the wards of urban and local government edifices as the basic units for
implementing community policing and Community Policing Forums (CPFs).
A. Grassroots / Neighborhood Level:
• A patrol team of 12 persons is formed, consisting of members from the ansar, village
police, village defense party, and village security guards (this number fluctuates based
on requirement).
• They patrol the neighborhood and provide information to the police to stop illegal
activities.
B. Union or Ward Level:
• Committees: There are two types of committees at the ward level: the Executive
Committee and the Advisory Committee.
• Personnel: The union or ward unit consists of one convener, one treasurer, and six
members.
• These Ward Committees and CPFs are overseen by a coordination committee at the
Union Parishad level.
C. Thana (Police Station) Level:
• Features a Thana Coordination Convening Committee.
• Like the ward unit, it consists of one convener, one treasurer, and six members.
• Duties: Reviews the law and order situation, provides decisions/instructions, and decides
the requirements and functions of patrol police.
• A police sub-inspector (supervised by the officer-in-charge of the station) forms these
relevant committees, maintains records, and involves the community patrol units.
D. District Level:
• Features a District Coordination Committee.
• Advisory Council: Comprised of the District Police Superintendent, additional
District Police Superintendent, and Assistant District Police Superintendents.
• Duties: Meets at least once a month to review the district's law and order situation and
take necessary steps.
4. Impact and Statistical Data
Recent reports showcase the scale and effectiveness of the program:
• There are approximately 8,94,206 members participating across 49,529 community
policing committees nationwide.
• Between July of the previous year to June of the reporting year, members helped prevent
and take preventive measures against 2,16,992 crimes.
• Members assisted the police in arresting 1,85,139 accused individuals involved in drug,
smuggling, and murder cases.
• 7,866 open house days were held where police listened to people's problems (such as
sexual harassment) and acted to solve them.
5. Legal Framework
Several laws and ordinances provide the legal foundation for police-public cooperation:
Draft Bangladesh Police Ordinance 2007:
• Created to bring community policing within a legal framework.
• Section 56: Envisages community involvement by forming citizen policing committees
in metropolitan and urban areas to implement policing strategies.
• Section 66: Mandates the involvement of the community and civil society in dealing with
internal security problems, public order, and the protection of human rights.
Code of Criminal Procedure ([Link]), 1898: Sections 42-45 define the circumstances and
methods by which the public must work with and assist the police and Magistrates.
• Section 42: Every person is legally bound to assist a Magistrate, judicial officer, or
Police officer to prevent an offender's escape.
• Section 43: Describes that any person directed by a warrant is legally bound to act.
• Section 44: Compels the public to give information to a Magistrate or Police Officer
regarding certain offences.
• Section 45: States that a police officer or any other person may use all necessary means
to effect an arrest.
Police Regulations Bengal 1943:
• Regulation 33(a): Specifies that "No police force can work successfully unless it wins
the respect and goodwill of the public and secures its co-operation".
• Regulation 32: Outlines the cooperative work of the police with panchayats, members of
union boards, and village police.
6. Partnerships and International Support
Community policing implementation is heavily supported by external partners:
• Police Reform Program (PRP): A UNDP-funded project providing technical assistance
to Bangladesh Police for nationwide implementation.
• Three major international development partners collaborate with the Government and
Bangladesh Police: UNDP, GIZ, and The Asia Foundation.
• UNODC & Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU): Partnered to promote community-based
policing strategies with a focus on improved research, training, national coordination,
regional networking, and women-led policing.
• Focus of UNODC Consultations: Participants called for capacity-building for beat
police to identify and respond to signs of radicalization and extremism, and to build skills
in communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution. This activity contributes to SDG
16 and SDG 17.
7. Community Activities and Current Gaps
Common Community Instances/Activities: The program utilizes open house days, seminars,
rallies on public occasions, short training sessions, and baseline surveys on police-community
relations.
Challenges and Gaps: Despite its growth, there is still a marginal gap in partnership and
communication between the police and the public regarding problem-solving, setting strategies,
and improving relations. Furthermore, local partnership groups—such as local youth groups,
women’s groups, civil society organizations, and other interest groups—are rarely involved in
community policing.