Political goodwill needed to keep police free from influence, says ex-IGP Nurul Huda

Former IGP Nurul Huda stresses the importance of eradicating the “toxic division” between the police and the public at a Police Week discussion

Former inspector general of police (IGP) Nurul Huda has criticised the Police Reform Commission’s report while stressing that only genuine political goodwill can keep the force free from political influence.

Speaking at a seminar to mark the Police Week at the Rajarbagh Police Auditorium on Thursday, he said: “Sorry to say, the work they have done [reform report] could have been completed in seven days.”

Eminent academic Salimullah Khan delivered the keynote speech, while IGP Baharul Alam chaired the session.

Salimullah called for an open dialogue about the public’s waning trust in the police.

“We need to understand the root causes of the distance between the police and the people. We cannot allow the police to stand against the public,” he said.

Nurul criticised politicians for failing to reform colonial-era laws after independence.

“After 1947, they changed many things, but they left the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Evidence Act untouched, which were already outdated,” he said.

Nurul described society as “toxically divided,” warning that “where toxic division exists, selective law enforcement follows. It cannot be stopped.”

Turning his attention to the reform recommendations for police, he said, “Now the commission is talking about reviews when reviews start, we worry.”

“If everything needs to be re-examined, what was the point of the commission? They haven’t addressed the 1861 Police Act. Some laws relevant in 1961 are no longer needed.”

He stressed, “Without political goodwill, we cannot move forward.”

While speaking on corruption within the police force, Nurul noted from experience that police officers can build their own houses after three or four years of working. He urged officers to break this cycle, calling them to stop the widespread corruption that is still rampant within the force.

Nurul Kabir from the New Age said, “When the state becomes oppressive, it doesn’t allow the police to serve the people. For the police to act as the people’s force, they must be smart enough to distinguish between right and wrong.”

Businessman Syed Nasim Manzur called for building police capacity and creating an environment where officers can work independently.

Zahed Ur Rahman said police officers must be prepared to resist unlawful instructions from political parties.

Former IGP Abdul Kayum remarked, “We all want freedom, but some prefer to take orders. This hypocrisy must end. We have to move past it.”

Sazzad Siddiqui called for an end to the misuse of police power by those in authority and urged the force to restore its image through independent efforts.

Chowdhury Saima Ferdous said, “If the police stand for truth, they will find a place of trust in the ‘new Bangladesh’. They must stand by those in need.”

The discussion concluded with closing remarks from the additional IGP of the Special Branch, Golam Rasul.