Bangladesh Police debut new uniforms

Police uniforms in Bangladesh have undergone a significant change, with new designs introduced starting Saturday. 

The old uniforms have been phased out in favour of these new ones across all metropolitan police and specialised units, including the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). 

However, distribution is not yet complete—district police have not received the new uniforms and will get them in phases.

From now on, police personnel in ranges and metropolitan areas will wear ‘Iron Gray’ uniforms, replacing the previous dark blue and khaki green colours.

Despite the rollout, many police members remain dissatisfied with the new colour. Their concerns were previously raised in multiple meetings.

A Deputy Commissioner (DC)-ranked officer told Daily Samakal that merely changing uniforms won't improve the police force qualitatively. Internal reforms, focused on public interest, are essential.

AIG AHM Shahadat Hossain, spokesperson for Police Headquarters, confirmed to Daily Samakal that new uniforms have been distributed to all metropolitan units. District and range police will transition in phases. 

However, specialised units like the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) and Special Protection Battalion (SPBn) will retain their existing uniforms.

A senior official clarified that other specialised units—including the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Tourist Police, Highway Police, and Naval Police—will adopt the new uniforms, while APBn and SPBn continue with their previous attire.

This marks the first uniform change since 2004. 

Police personnel now receive five sets annually: three for summer and two for winter.

The decision came in 2024 under the interim government, following public demands for police reform amid criticism of the force's role in the mass uprising. 

As part of broader changes, metropolitan police received the new ‘Iron Gray’ uniforms.

A DMP source revealed that on Saturday, 25 percent of personnel from constables to sub-inspectors (SIs) received the new uniforms, while 50 percent of officers from inspectors to additional deputy commissioners were equipped.

DMP spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman stated that the new uniform has been launched across all metropolitan cities from Saturday, with full distribution to follow in phases.

After the Awami League government fell on August 5, 2024, calls grew for both structural police reforms and a uniform change. 

In response, the interim government approved the update. Police Headquarters formed a 10-member committee to redesign the uniform and logo. After studying uniforms from several countries and trialing 18 designs, five colour options were presented. The final choice was made during an advisory council meeting. 

Additionally, the police logo has been updated.