Chapter-1: Introduction

Context:

Police in Bangladesh is a central government organization, means that there is only one police
force in Bangladesh. Since its inception Bangladesh Police have already gained slander for
barbarity, grafting and ineffectiveness. Like other government organizations of Bangladesh,
police could not make themselves an accountable and transparent agency since the independence
of Bangladesh. If there is seen any crisis like fighting against the crime or tackling the terrorist,
all successive governments take short term measure and quick fixes by the military rather than
strengthening the police forces as this task usually ought to be carried out by police forces (Asia
report, 2009)

A critical problem in case of policing in Bangladesh is due to huge deficit of unanimous function
of police, which means that policing is absolutely dependent on the wish of the people who are in
power. So, policing function is deemed as an inalienable part of the successive government and a
means of show of power which leads to non-professional, autocratic, barbaric, irresponsible and
incompetent police forces. As a result, this non-professional and incompetent police force is
being a means of violation of human rights, arbitrary arrest and detention, extra-judicial killing,
attack on the opposition political party, peaceful protesters and Medias obstruct freedom of
expression and association.

In true sense, the functions of the police are very visible that has impact on every citizen’s lives.
Police have wide access to almost all functions of the country. So, by checking the law and order
condition, ensuring transparency and accountability of all police functions, incorporating public
participation in police activity, i.e., by establishing and running democratic policing system ,
Bangladesh can attract more foreign investment, increase better physical and organizational
structures, improve the standard of the of life of the people, improvement of economic
barometers, ultimately can achieve economic growth, prosperity and security of the country.

Concept of democratic policing:

“The police are the public and the public are the police,” the Police as a sole entity of the public
should be discharged their duties and responsibilities to the best of their effort for the safety,
well-being and survival irrespective of every citizen as police is paid for their duties (Sir Robert
Peel, 1822-1846).

The word ‘policing’ comes from the word ‘politics’ that refers to running a region, locality or
country, and to control and monitor the social systems(Sage, 2007), according to scholar like
Reiner (2000), Policing is associated with the wide procedures of public customs which have
influence and control on people’s every activity, further Bayley (1994) defined policing is an
act of maintaining order in the society, combating against the crime and criminal, taking action
on risky and sensational anti-social activities in order to keep the community and the country as a
whole, safe and secured.

The above mentioned activities of police could not fulfill the demand of modern day
democratic country and do not comply with the people’s aspiration as police play a vital role in
establishing democratic society. Police can be democratic instrument of the society and country
as well if they become accountable for their functions to the public, show proper respect to the
people, performing their duties what is assigned by law and this law must have international
recognition, not to violate human rights of the opposition political party which is the symbol of
democracy; give preference of individual as well state security when in need, interfere the
freedom of the citizens only in the extreme situation such as state emergency (Lemieux, 2014;
Tonry and Morris, 1992). Regarding the democratic policing, Manning (2010) stated that police,
in a democratic society, need to be inoffensive; understand what people expect from the police;
need to take step to reduce the gap between the people and the police, become accountable to the
law instead of the government; equipped with knowledge and efficiency to take part in the
development of the country’s prosperity; have to be transparent for their functions and decisions.
In addition to, Bayley() stated that democracy inside the police organization is needed for
equality of service; participation of private body in policing activities is also needed to ensure the
transparency of police. Police, as service provider in a democratic society, deliver their service
equally irrespective of race, religion, status, colour etc. Jones, Newburn and Smith(1994) said
that delivery should be distributed in accordance to the demands which mean the employ of
severity on the criminals or suspects will be on the basis of equity; no more or no less depend on
the nature of the offense. Service delivery should be directly proportional to the principle of
equity, means that every citizens even who do not have the knowledge about policing and do not
have ability to say anything might get help when police deliver their duties and responsibilities
impressively and skillfully. Police should be testified by the public, means that the activities of
police need to be verified by the people who are dealing with police constantly.

Research aim and objectives

The main aim of the study is to present a comprehensive concept of democratic policing;
that is, the networking of cooperation between the members of a community and their police
organisations toward the reduction of criminal activity. A successful network would be achieved
as the individuals over which the police exercise responsibility become more trusting of their
police departments. The result would be the accomplishment of the primary aim: a citizenry
which can carry out their business in an atmosphere that encourages legitimate commerce and
investment in the future (Charles, 2008). The specific objectives of the research are as follows:
 To engage in a comprehensive needs analysis of the Bangladesh police organisation.
 To develop a project support document based on identified needs to improve the
effectiveness of the Bangladesh police.
 To determine what efforts are required for police reform in Bangladesh.
 To discuss the basic concept of democratic policing.
 To consider options available for reforms relating to both traditional and modern police
strategies for maintaining law and order.
  To suggest best practices for the development of responsive and accountable models of
democratic policing.
Research questionnaire:

In this investigative study, my goal is to examine the nature and extent of police
accountability in emerging and new democracies like Bangladesh, existing efforts to democratise
police organisations in such States, and the extent to which civilians are already included in
police oversight mechanisms. The question I wish to answer is, “Is it possible to create
democratic forms of policing in developing countries?” This question will also be asked from a
global perspective by assessing any obstacles inhibiting change and by exploring the potential
for democratic policing in countries making the transition toward democracy (Mohd, Mat, and
Ahmed, 2018).

Before going to ask questions of the interview I explained the interviewee what democratic
policing is, what the ingredients of the democratic policing are, what is the characteristics of
democratic policing and I also described them what are the principle of democratic policing.
Moreover, I explained all the ingredients of democratic policing to the participants who took part
in the interview. I selected the following questions for the interview and I wish I could get all the
relevant information about the present policing system and how democratic policing system can
be implemented in Bangladesh.

1) Do you think that a democratic policing system could be achieved in Bangladesh? How?
2) Do you think that a democratic policing system is needed in Bangladesh? Why?
3) What do you think the role of the police should be in a democratic state?
4) What government might do to make police more accountable and transparent? What steps
could the police themselves take in this regards?
5) What government might do to increase the professionalism of the police? What steps
could the police themselves take in this regards?
6) What government might do to stop corruption of the police? What steps could the police
themselves take in this regards?
7) How can police gain respect, trust and confidence of the public?
8) What do you think what are the reasons behind continuing traditional or colonial policing
in developing countries?
9) What do you think what factors are lacking of transition to more democratic form of
policing?
10) What benefits do citizens receive from democratic policing (accountable and transparent)
and, conversely, what benefits do the police receive from a democratic policing
(accountable and transparent) system?
11) How can developed countries achieve the replacement of colonial policing with a more
contemporary form of policing?

Value of Research
The importance of this investigative study is that the role of police in a democratic society is
being investigated; how police could contribute to the economic development of Bangladesh by
discharging their duties properly in comply with the law. Specifically, this research will try to
focus on what are the reasons behind continuing traditional or colonial policing in Bangladesh;
what factors are hindering the reform of police in Bangladesh.

This research will connect research of different investigators on democratic policing who gave
some direction of how democratic policing can be achieved in developing country like
Bangladesh.

Structure of dissertation

The dissertation will begin with a critical outline of the existing literature on the history of
policing in Bangladesh and present policing practice in Bangladesh. It will explore the definition
of normal policing as well as the definition, characteristics and principles of democratic policing
system and the impact of present policing culture that raised the issue whether to implement
democratic policing in Bangladesh perspective. The literature review will also outline police
reforms and government initiatives regarding this matter. Literature review also includes the says
about the policing practice of Bangladesh comparing some other developing countries. Finally,
the role of the police in democratic policing system will be introduced and briefly evaluated
using the limited literature available on the role.

Chapter three will outline the methodology used in the research. It will detail how the data was
collected and analysed and give details of the participants involved in the research. It will discuss
the ethical considerations and the limitations of the research. To conclude, the chapter will
outline the themes and subthemes identified as part of the analysis on the data collected.

In chapter four the data collected from the research will be critically analysed and structured by
the themes and subthemes identified during the analysis. Each theme will include evidence from
the research and any links to the literature will be identified and discussed.

Chapter five will conclude the dissertation and involve using the data collected from the
research and existing literature to answer the research questions identified in the introductory
chapter. Each question will be answered and summarised, with recommendations being made
based on the summaries.

Finally the chapter will conclude with a direction for future research and final comments by the
researcher.

Legal framework of Bangladesh Police:

There are many laws and acts that control and monitor the Bangladesh police. These laws are the
Police Act of 1861, the code of criminal procedure of 1898, the police regulation of Bengal of
1943 and Metropolitan Police ordinance. It is worth mention that the supreme law of the state is
the constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Police Act of 1861:

This act consists of few section but it is known as the constitution of Bangladesh Police. It
describes the duties and responsibilities of police, joining, discharge from the service and other
necessary factors of the junior officers; how Inspector –General can make rule for the
department; the authority and responsibility of additional and special police as well as the
Superintendent of Police of a District.

Code of criminal procedure, 1898:

This is the main criminal law that interlink between the Police, Magistrate and Judge. It
describes the power and functions of the courts, Magistrate, police and Judges; procedure of
filing complain to the police station as well as the court; procedure to inform to the Police and
Magistrate regarding an offence; procedure of investigation a case; inform how to disperse
unlawful assembly, public nausance, when and how to make arrest, make free and detention for
interrogation; proceedings and prosecutions against the offenders.

Police regulation of Bengal, 1943:

Police regulation of Bengal is known as the Bible of all police irrespective of rank and file. This
rule describes the relation of police department with other agencies whose functions are dealing
to criminal matters. It has the option for changing the rule due to the demand of the department.
It describes monitoring and overseeing mechanism within the police; facilities and common
guidelines; duties and responsibilities of all police officers; total function of criminal
investigation department, Special Branch, function of police station, court police, railway police;
joining, transfer, promotions, salary and allowances, training, examination, penalizing, appeal
and other facilities.

Metropolitan Police Acts:

Now there are eight Metropolitan police jurisdiction for eight biggest city of the country where
eight different Metropolitan ordinances are using for dealing with crime and criminals. These
ordinances describe the organogram of that particular Metropolitan; duties and responsibilities,
joining, transfer, authority to formulate new rules in the respective jurisdiction.

Armed Police Battalions Ordinance, 1979:

Armed police Battalion is a reserve police force that is deployed when the district/Metropolitan
police cannot control the situation, but the overall control and monitoring of the armed police
during duties with the normal police is lied on the District police or Metropolitan Police. Like
district/Metropolitan police, Armed police have the authority to arrest the offenders; recover
unathorised arms, ammunition and explosive; perform security duties for the important persons.
Police reform: A global issue

Bangladesh inherited its existing legal and judicial system from the British ruler almost two
hundred years ago although some parts of this system come from pre-British regime. As an
alienable part of the legal and judicial system, police were usually served for the collection of the
revenue for the British Raj. Torture of the farmers and landlords who were unable to provide tax
was a usual task of the police. Thus, Police are being treated as the oppressive tools from the
colonial regime.

The objective of the police of British regime was not complying with the democratic standard
and smooth political functions. The police Act of 1861 was formulated as Indian Police Act to
serve the colonial ruler rather than to serve the people. After splitting from British regime in
1947, the Indian Police Act got its new version just changing its title to Pakistan Police Act.
After getting independence in 1971, this Pakistan Police Act is familiarized as Bangladesh Police
Act just altering its cover page.
The shooting incident during the language movement in 1952 or the shooting incident in 1990
against the military autocratic ruler reminds us that neither in Pakistan Period nor in the
independent Bangladesh, police could not change their colonial mind-set.

As mentioned before, barbarity and grafting are not contemporary matter of Bangladesh Police,
rather if we go through the history we see this defamation of police come from the British
regime. After formulation of Police Act 1861, British ruler came to know that they were doing
hypocrisy with the sub-continent people. In 1902, British ruler formed Fraser commission for
police reform when they found police were corrupted, inefficient and arbitrary, but this
commission could not bring any fruitful result.

The police Act 1861 neither specify the limitations of Magistrate’s authority nor incorporate
any check and balance system. This law endowed Magistrate dual control over the police
administration in the field level. Moreover, this law reduce the power of chief of police(IGP) and
his sub-ordinates, such as Superintendent of Police(SP) or Deputy Inspector General of
Police(DIG), from effective control, monitoring and over-sighting.

Since its inception Bangladesh Police have already gained slander for barbarity, grafting and
ineffectiveness. Like other government organizations of Bangladesh, police could not make
themselves an accountable and transparent agency since the independence of Bangladesh. If
there is seen any crisis like fighting against the crime or tackling the terrorist, all successive
governments take short term measure and quick fixes by the military rather than strengthening
the police forces as this task usually ought to be carried out by police forces (Asia report, 2009)

Reform of police organization in administrative, legal and policing areas should make in a way
so that police become functionally impartial, institutionally autonomous, functionally skilled and
efficient, organizationally responsible and transparent, socially service oriented and need basis,
never cherish colonial mind-set.

Chapter-2: Literature reviews.

Introduction

In Bangladesh, too few research projects and too little attention to policy has taken place
regarding ‘democratic policing’ systems, either by government organisations or by Non-
Government Organisations (NGOs). Some studies were commenced with good intentions but
were eventually discontinued so that the details of the research never came to light (Asia report,
2009a). Moreover, most of the studies have been focused on trust issues of the citizens toward
police activities, attitudes, and organisational structure (Hossain and Rahman, 2017a).
Most of the ‘police attitude and behaviour’ related literature is written from the sociological or
political science point of view. It mainly focuses on the features of the attitude of the police with
the citizens and the conditions for their success or failure. The literature asserts that a democratic
policing system will not be achieved without intentional efforts. Regardless of how rational and
diligent individual police officers may become, they may continue to focus only on improving
their organisation and miss the point of creating a collective system within their society. There
are only a handful of theories regarding the regrettable attitudes and behaviours of the police and
why democratic policing remains such an allusive objective in Bangladesh (Hossain and
Rahman, 2017b).

Citizen involvement in police accountability can help establish excellent standards for
policing activities. While many western developed democracies have arrived at mechanisms for
civilian oversight of the police, in new and emerging democracies, such as Bangladesh, the
extent to which civilian oversight exists remains unclear (Hinton, 2005).

In this investigative study, my goal is to examine the nature and extent of police
accountability in emerging and new democracies like Bangladesh, existing efforts to democratise
police organisations in such States, and the extent to which civilians are already included in
police oversight mechanisms. The question I wish to answer is, “Is it possible to create
democratic forms of policing in developing countries?” This question will also be asked from a
global perspective by assessing any obstacles inhibiting change and by exploring the potential
for democratic policing in countries making the transition toward democracy (Mohd, Mat, and
Ahmed, 2018). The employment of democratic policing is spreading into more and more
countries around the world; yet, it is rarely defined and poorly understood, not only by the
general populace but, by many of its practitioners.

Bruce and Neild (2017) assert that, while the police may desire to reduce public fear of crime
and do more to build public confidence, the challenges of crime and anti-social behaviour remain
overwhelming, even where criminal activity appears to be declining. Levels of crime, although
falling, remain too high and detection rates too low. The ideal results of a police reform
programme are increased friendliness, accountability, and transparency among the rank and file
of the police force.

Chapter-3: Methodology:

Introduction:
 The aim of this thesis was to investigate whether democratic policing system is viable in
Bangladesh and inquire how it can be implemented as well as to explore why the so-called
policing system is existed in Bangladesh. This chapter is included i) philosophical view of the
research study, ii) explain the research methodology applied and rational for the thesis design,
iii) describe the sampling method and participants attitudes and beheviours , iv) familiarize the
research materials applied in this investigation, v) depict the limitation, scope and ethical issue
related to the study and at last, vi) interpretation of access to the sample gathered and analysed.
Philosophical view:
An interprevist ideology and theory support the study as it familiarizes that every human being
has different knowledge, experience, views from each other that leads to various result if they
are interviewed separately, as a result, it is not possible to achieve the expected knowledge
(Robson, 2007). Moreover, the study of the democratic policing is involved of the police officers
and this concept is raised due to the involvement of human rights activist, criminologists and
sociologist. So, criminologist research method was used with the application of qualitative
research and in depth analysis being conducted with an examination of language being
considered as part of the analysis (Hesse-Biber, 2012). This is why criminologist trust that power
and privilege are embedded within discourse and those participants should be at the heart of the
research process in order to provide an accurate representation of the policing experience
(Oakley, 1981). It was immense need to carry out an empirical research because of the lack of
study exist on democratic policing in Bangladesh, and it was necessary to diagnosis the research
questions to talk with the police personnel by telephone conversation to avail their exclusive
experiences and perspective to run an interprevist piece of research.

Design;
Initially, the research was going to collect qualitative data entirely by sending questionnaires
to the participants through email and apply the data after getting from the participants. However,
in the middle of the research it is thought that most of the participants are very busy, and they
will not write the answer of the questionnaire they supplied. Later on, it is decided that
qualitative data will be collected through interview with the interviewees. This was incorporate
in order to provide the participants more flexibility to participate when they have available time
instead of set up a fixed time given from the researcher to the participants in order to complete an
interview (Bryman, 2012).

In order to get good result in the research semi structure interviews were selected as it give the
researcher sufficient scope to explain the research questions to the participants to expand the
answer of questions by giving deeper realization from the participants points of view(Robson,
2007). In case of semi structured interview, the participants have the freedom to change the
sequence of questions asked in order to cope up with the interview, even the participant can add
some questions and answers where it is appropriate. Semi structured interview method let the
interviewees to answer the questions in a meaningful way, and it also give the chance both the
researcher and participant to incorporate some points seem more important that are not included
in the interview questionnaire or research objectives. This is an important matters of
criminological research is that the methodology would be pliable to be able to point out which is
valuable for both the participants and the researcher (Bernard, 2013).
The interview were conducted through telephone or Skype (what is applicable for whom)
because of the geographical location and time constraint as all of the participants are living in
Bangladesh. Conducting interview through the telephone are comparatively economical and
faster (Robson, 2007) and let the investigator to expand the number and size of the possible
sample group that deducted the time required of the interviewees as they are smaller than face to
face interview. Skype interview is one type of face to face interview that allow participants more
confident than telephone interview. Strong internet connection was required in case of Skype
interview but telephone interview does not required internet connectivity (Bryman, 2012).

Sampling method
In order to be competent for this investigative study as participants the person had to become
serving police officers, prominent lawyer, Human rights activists in Bangladesh. Once ethical
approval had been achieved from the university ethics board (see appendix-), gatekeeper was
found out and asked for supply participants. Police Headquarters, Bangladesh had provided
permission to recruit police participants from anywhere in the country, and to conduct interview
of the competent police officers in order to get good survey results.

Participants:
In total, 20 participants were participated in this investigative study, among those 14 participants
took part in telephone interview and the rest 6 participants participated with Skype interview. 16
participants among 20 were male and the rest were female participants as female police officers
as well as other professionals are comparatively few in Bangladesh. The age range of the
participants is from 29 to 59 years old as all participants were selected based on the profession,
experience and knowledge. 15 participants out of 20 were come from police department, 3
lawyers and 2 from human rights organization. In this investigative study, interview was carried
out randomly which mean that anybody from any organization could take part the interview
anytime.

Research materials:
An information sheet was created that outlined further details of what the research was about,
what was expected of the participants and included contact details of both the researcher and her
supervisor should they have any questions. It was a dual-purpose document with it serving as a
consent form as well as an information sheet (see appendix-). The information sheet/ consent
form was emailed to those who expressed an interest in taking part in the research.
A time table for interview was prepared that was used at the time of semi structured interview
(see appendix-). The interview started with the ice-breaking and minutely explained what the
objective of the research is, and pointed out the sample questions to make the situation easy. This
is because it is necessary at the starting point in every interview to create affinity with the
participants to encourage them to take part in the interview and give response of the questions
instinctively (Bryman, 2012). The questions were selected after extensive and careful reading on
the subject of policing, democratic police related matters. The first interview was taken as a
model where the research questions were proven to examine whether the word selection,
sequence and content were correct. If necessity arises, little changes could make in the
questionnaires for the next interview from the previous experience.
Procedure:
At first, I called the participants to take part in this interview, and, once the participant agreed to
take part in the interview, I made a schedule for interview with mutual understanding. Before the
interview, they were sent message to check that they were ready to participate in the interview.
An app called voice recorder was used to record the interview, for which consent from the
participants were taken. After recording the interview, the voice record was transferred to my
personal laptop so that it had no access of third party because this laptop was password
protected.

Ethics:
Taking part in the research was entirely voluntary and each participant was informed of the
nature of the research and what to expect from the interviews before they had commenced.
Informed consent was gained from participants either by signing a consent form or verbally
gained at the beginning of the interview. Participants were told that they had the right to
withdraw at any time during the interview, and that this right extends to after the interview has
been conducted. However, they were informed that if they wished to remove their contribution to
the research they needed to do so before 15 of August 2019 to allow the researcher to adequately
remove them from the final analysis before the print deadline.

Participants were asked for permission for the interviews to be recorded for transcription
purposes only, and were told that upon completion of the dissertation that their data would be
destroyed. Consent for this was acquired in the informed consent form.

Participants were made aware that they would be anonymised and referred to as a code
throughout the dissertation, with a password protected document storing name and contact
details. All information was treated with confidence to the best of the researcher’s ability. It was
explained to participants that due to the collaborative nature of the work involving anti-
government issue, and the subsequent overlap between agencies and communication amongst the
sample that there was a possible risk of identification, although slight. Participants were advised
to not take part in the research if they perceived this to be an issue.

Access to the dissertation was limited to the researcher and supervisor until the final copy, with
the possibility of adapting the final dissertation for academic publication. Consent for this was
granted as part of the informed consent process. An executive summary was produced after the
final dissertation to circulate amongst those participants who requested a copy of the results,
again with all participant and service information being anonymised.

Limitation:
Every effort had been made to make rigorous methodological decisions and enhance
participant recruitment. However, this research is not without its limitations, such as by
conducting the interviews over the telephone it meant that the researcher was unable to view the
interviewee’s body language and made it difficult to establish rapport through the absence of
non-verbal cues such as nodding and smiling (Bryman, 2012). Nonetheless, the benefits of being
able to conduct the interviews over the phone (increased sample size
and ease of access to participants) outweighed the disadvantages. Also, due to the lack of an
organisational body for police officers, only those in communication with the gatekeepers and
participants were made aware of the research, thus an argument could be made that some police
officers were excluded from the participant sample. As a result of this, it would be problematic to
apply the results from this research to all police officers. owever, the aim of the research was not
to produce results that were generalizable to all police officers, but instead to collect rich and
contextual detail to give an insight into their opinions, perspectives and attitudes. Because this
was a single researcher project, it did not allow for another researcher to conduct an analysis on
the transcripts and check for consistency in the development and allocation of themes and
coding, therefore a limitation can be found as a result of this. In an effort to reduce this
limitation, the researcher rigorously repeated the analytic process and coded and re-coded the
themes until a complete thematic analysis had been conducted.

Analysis
Interview transcriptions were systematically examined using thematic analysis, where parts of
the data perceived to be related to the research questions are coded and labelled. Codes with the
same label were then grouped and they became a theme that could then be further analysed and
interpreted in line with the research aims and questions (Robson, 2007). Where appropriate,
subthemes were also identified within a theme and discussed within the analysis

The higher order themes and subthemes identified during the analysis were:
Attitudes towards the police
o Training is essential
Challenges experienced by police officers
o Caseload
o Lack of accountability and essential training
o Lack of awareness of the police role
o Independence
Politics and funding