Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said crime control will become easier if strong trust is built between the police and the people.
Addressing the Police Welfare Parade at the Rajarbagh Police Auditorium during Police Week 2026, the prime minister urged police members to earn public trust and ensure that no innocent person faces harassment.
He said the police administration does not belong to any political party and must operate according to the law.
“It is certainly your responsibility to ensure that no innocent person is subjected to harassment,” he said.
Tarique Rahman said the success of the police lies in becoming a symbol of trust and security for the people and added that the success of the police also means the success of the government.
He said the relationship between police and citizens should be based on trust and mutual dependence so that people see police stations as reliable shelters during danger or crisis.
The prime minister reminded police that ordinary people first go to police stations for legal assistance and stressed the importance of treating citizens with humanity and respect.
He said people usually go to police stations only when they are in trouble and police should ensure that citizens feel relief and support after seeking help.
Describing police members as the government’s ambassadors at the field level, Tarique Rahman said they play a vital role in maintaining law and order, ensuring public safety and delivering justice.
The prime minister said the current government is giving the highest priority to improving law and order and protecting public lives and property.
He alleged that the previous fascist government had used the police force against the people for partisan political interests and said now is the time to move forward with renewed public trust.
Tarique Rahman said the biggest challenge before the police now is gaining and maintaining the confidence of the people.
He said modern policing requires a skilled, humane and technologically advanced force and added that the government has already started working toward that goal.
The prime minister assured police members that the government would positively consider their demands according to its capacity.
He said the government wants to create an environment where people can directly go to police stations without intermediaries, file complaints without fear and receive proper support.
Tarique Rahman stressed that maintaining law and order is not possible without public cooperation and urged police to strengthen public-oriented programmes such as community policing and Open House Day.
He said the government remains firm against drugs, terrorism and corruption and noted that crimes such as child marriage, violence against women and children, theft, robbery, organized crime, juvenile gangs and financial fraud continue to affect society.
The prime minister also expressed concern over drug abuse and online gambling and urged police to conduct strict operations against drug suppliers and trafficking networks.
Referring to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he said police must expand the use of technologies such as cyber policing, artificial intelligence and big data analysis to tackle modern challenges.
He said the government is committed to building a modern technology-based policing system.
Tarique Rahman also said the government wants to ensure the rule of law while protecting human rights and made it clear that enforced disappearance, abduction and extrajudicial activities are unacceptable.
He said protecting citizens’ rights is the moral and constitutional duty of every police officer.
The prime minister added that the government wants to strengthen the professionalism, institutional dignity and public trust of Bangladesh Police by prioritizing merit, qualifications, efficiency and integrity in recruitment, transfer and promotion processes.
He said there is no alternative to making the police force more modern and skilled in line with the changing global situation.
To achieve this goal, the government is considering better training, improved housing facilities, quality healthcare, higher ration and risk allowances and other benefits for police members.
Tarique Rahman said the government inherited weak governance, poor law and order and an unstable economy caused by corruption and misrule and had to face a global war situation within weeks of taking office.
He acknowledged that not all expectations can be fulfilled within a short time but promised that the government would gradually implement all commitments made to the people.
The prime minister said humanity, justice and national unity are stronger than the power of weapons and expressed hope for building a prosperous, self-reliant, democratic, safe and humane Bangladesh.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir and senior government officials attended the programme.