Please - Odhikar

The presence of some unknown people were found in the police stations who acted as mediators
between the police and relatives of arrested people for release of arrestees in exchange for
money. Such persons were nothing but ’touts’, but the police did nothing to discourage their
activities, as they, too, were profiting from it.
However, the situation of police stations in the City has improved relatively during Odhikar’s
police stations monitoring. Police behavior towards the common people is gradually changing in
few cases, which is obviously a good indication. In every police station a list of instructions
provided by the Inspector General of Police was observed in the duty officer’s room mentioning
what to do and how to behave with people, but it has not yet been fully practiced or followed.
Many police personnel did not even go through the Code of Conduct. According to the
instruction, people who come to the thana should be offered to take a seat first. Unfortunately, in
many police stations such as Mirpur, Motijheel, Tejgaon, Mohammadpur, there are no sitting
arrangements for the people who come to the police station for complaining or lodging FIR or
GD.
As in 2003 and 2004, it was disclosed that budget constraints prevented police from working
properly. Police told Odhikar that in some instances they had to buy relevant materials and
stationery from their own pocket. They received conveyance when they went to investigate
specific cases or to give witness. These lead to corruption. A police official in police station has
to work for 16 to 18 hours a day and under such pressure, it was not possible to expect good
behaviour from the police always.
C. Some positive aspects/achievements:
Apart from the Government initiatives to separate enforcement and investigation activities of
police personnel in police stations, it has also approved the recruitment of a good number of new
police officers for this purpose. Formation of separate investigation and enforcement units is
expected to specify works of police personnel and reduce excessive workload of them in police
stations. It is expected that it will also help in improving the service and behavior of police
towards common people.
Furthermore, it was disclosed at a discussion meeting held in October 2005, that the Ministry for
Home Affairs was going to establish female based police stations and that in every police station
there would be a separate investigation unit for female victims.
D. The thana officials:
From its monitoring experience, Odhikar learnt that officials play key role in running day to-day
affairs of the thana. They are involved in corruption, ill treatment and misbehaviour towards
people. For example, in Fatulla Police station Odhikar met two duty officers. One was found to
be honest and had a helping attitude. He behaved politely and the complainants/victims were
treated well by him. However, the other one was found being openly corrupt and blatantly
asking for money. Everyone who comes to the station has to pay money to him. The personal
character of the police officials always matters a lot.
In Motijheel Police Station, Odhikar talked with one Constable Jahid. He commented that the
police received only 20 days annual leave and for arranging such a leave, they had to pay some
’extra money’ to those arranging leaves. However, in the case of news of death of any family
member, leave was sanctioned quickly and no money had to be paid.
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Report 2005