Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday warned police members that disciplinary violations and criminal offences committed while performing their duties could lead to both departmental punishment and criminal proceedings including sedition cases.
“Correct yourselves quickly. If anyone violates discipline or commit any kind of offence while performing duties, we will not limit the matter to departmental punishment,” he said while addressing the medal-awarding ceremony of Police Week 2026 as the chief guest.
He said the government has information that some field-level police members are neglecting their duties and, in some cases, secretly providing information or otherwise assisting forces of “fascism.”
“We will not limit ourselves only to disciplinary action. If a criminal offence has been committed, justice will be ensured under the criminal law, Penal Code or CrPC, as applicable,” he said.
Warning police officers who fail to understand public expectations, the minister said, “If any police officer, regardless of rank, fails to understand public expectations, the consequences will not be good.”
He urged police to become people-friendly and refrain from conduct that appears abnormal or undemocratic to people.
“People do not want to see us as kings or emperors. They want people-friendly police,” he said, urging senior officers not to engage in activities that cause discomfort, unrest or distress among people, and not to allow or tolerate such conduct by subordinates.
The minister said the government believes in “punishment and reward” and is continuously rewarding the virtuous and punishing wrongdoing, although it might not have been possible to ensure justice in every case.
He said the police force was politically misused and abused by the “fallen fascist forces” and was turned against people. Many police members were compelled to follow illegal or unlawful orders, he said, adding that the government gave them an opportunity to reform and regain public trust.
At the same time, the minister said minor mistakes made in good faith while performing duties would be considered separately.
“If minor mistakes occur while performing duties in good faith, they will certainly be viewed accordingly,” he said.
The minister also stressed the need to implement the aspirations for change and a discrimination-free society that emerged from the 2024 student-mass uprising.
He said the government would increase the police force’s manpower and capabilities if necessary, including recruiting officers and personnel through extensive short courses.
“Police strength, numbers, equipment and logistics will be increased as necessary, and we are increasing them,” he said.