433 police personnel transferred from home districts under new posting policy

In a significant implementation of the new posting policy for constables, sub-inspectors, and assistant sub-inspectors, 433 police members have been transferred from their home districts in metropolitan areas to other locations over the past month. 

About 63 per cent of the police force consists of constables, with currently 134,000 personnel serving in that rank. 

In addition, there are approximately 28,000 sub-inspectors (SIs) and 27,000 assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs). Out of the total 213,000 police personnel, 189,000 are non-cadre members occupying the posts of constable, SI, and ASI.

Of the 433 transferred personnel from five ranks, 381 are constables. 

Several officials concerned have stated that more than half a hundred officers from the rank of assistant superintendent of police (ASP) and above will also be transferred from the metropolitan police units of their own districts to other places, with their names already selected. 

As the new transfer policy comes into effect, no police member will be posted in the metropolis of their own district from now onwards.

According to related sources, among the 433 personnel transferred from the metropolitan police units of their own districts in the last month, 43 are sub-inspectors (unarmed). The list also includes four sergeants, three SIs (armed), two technical sub-inspectors (TSIs), and 381 constables. 

Before the transfers, many were consulted about the possible units of transfer, taking into consideration their families and relatives.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has been kept as the only exception unit in the transfer policy. Several police officials explained that this is because the DMP is the largest police unit, with about 35,000 members, accounting for roughly one-sixth of the total police force. 

Therefore, a provision has been made allowing a member to be posted in the DMP even if it is in their own district. Without this exception, officials believe the normal posting process in the DMP would be disrupted.

There were many police members who had been serving in the metropolitan police units of their own districts for years. Among those transferred in the past month, a large number were from the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) and Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP). 

Many police officers have pointed out that working in one’s own area carries the risk of impartial enforcement of the law due to kinship and social ties. On the other hand, policing around family and social circles can lead to laxity in the performance of duties for some personnel. There is often ambivalence in applying the law appropriately to people one already knows. 

Considering these factors, postings in the metropolitan area of one’s own district are being discouraged.

Several sources in the law enforcement agencies noted that many develop close friendships with local political leaders when working in their own areas. Some have been accused of becoming involved as drug dealers, transport sector regulators, extortionists, or litigators. 

For several years, restrictions have been imposed on postings in the metropolitan police units of one’s own district. Even then, many continued to serve in those positions. Those on such lists have now been transferred elsewhere. 

There are allegations against some members who abused their power while posted in the metropolis of their own district.

The posting policy for SIs, ASIs, and constables stipulates that they can be transferred to another place after serving in any unit for more than two years. They cannot serve in any unit outside the range for more than five years continuously. 

Within the range, they cannot serve in the same district for more than three years. The only exception to this rule is when a police unit confirms the recognised technical skills of an individual.

The policy further states that if a police member is transferred for administrative reasons, that order will not be cancelled. If the service period in the transferred place for administrative reasons has not completed two years, they cannot be transferred to another place. 

Additionally, if the spouse is a government employee, the matter of posting in the same or nearby area can be considered based on their application.

The policy also provides that a person cannot be posted to the hill districts more than once in their service life. However, if a police member wishes, they can be posted there a second time. 

If the service period of transferred police members under the Chattogram Range has not completed two years after posting, they cannot be transferred to any district or unit other than the hill district. 

Furthermore, the minimum educational qualification for posting to the Metropolitan Police and the Special Branch as divisional sub-inspector (unarmed) must be Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or equivalent. 

In addition, if a transfer is required to any unit of the police headquarters, that member must have completed two years of service at the current workplace.

Several police officers mentioned that the process of verifying leave exit and educational leave applications for police cadre officers is now completed within a maximum of seven days. Previously, it took about 21 days. 

Now, with the help of technology, the necessary information is verified from one place, and transfer-related applications are settled within three days.