Former Additional Inspector General of Police Yasmin Gafur has said that the recent political turmoil and the brief period without a functioning police force have exposed a stark truth - that a nation cannot be run without the police, nor can it survive under an "anti-people" policing system.

She made the observation while presenting the keynote paper at a roundtable titled "Bangladesh Police Reform: Challenges and Actions" organised by Prothom Alo at Pragati Tower in Dhaka today.

Yasmin, also vice-president of the Bangladesh Retired Police Officers' Welfare Association, said the event aimed to promote the vision of a modern, transparent, accountable, and people-oriented police service.

"The existing police structure, rooted in the colonial Police Act of 1861, has failed to meet the expectations of a democratic society," she said. "Political and bureaucratic influence, coupled with vested interests, have repeatedly undermined professionalism within the force."

She added that despite multiple commissions over the decades, the police have not undergone any significant structural or strategic transformation, even though social and civic needs have evolved dramatically.

Emphasising the need for institutional reform, Yasmin said it was time to build a forward-looking, professional, and citizen-centred police force through policy-based and coordinated structural changes. The proposed Police Commission 2025, she noted, has been included in the July National Charter 2025 as part of this reform agenda.

The former police official said public confidence in law enforcement had eroded following the events of July and August, while cybercrime, corruption, and human rights concerns continued to challenge the force's credibility and effectiveness.

She proposed the formation of an independent statutory police commission as outlined in the Police Commission 2025 draft. The commission would be headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, with a retired inspector general serving as member secretary, and include representatives from the government, opposition, civil society, and human rights groups -- ensuring gender representation with at least one woman member.

According to her presentation, the commission would function as an autonomous authority, empowered to operate independently of the government's direct administrative control. It would have its own seal, budget, and legal authority to investigate and recommend disciplinary actions.

The commission would focus on key areas including discipline and accountability, complaints and human rights investigations, fair recruitment and promotion policies, training and welfare, policy reform, legal review, and research.

Yasmin said the commission would also recommend qualified candidates for the post of Inspector General of Police based on integrity, seniority, and professional competence.

She identified several long-standing challenges to reform, including outdated laws, political interference, resource shortages, and lack of public confidence.

To overcome these barriers, she stressed the need for a law-backed police commission to ensure administrative accountability, depoliticisation of the force, integrity-based recruitment and promotion, technology-driven policing, and enhanced public trust through community participation.

"Bangladesh Police stands at a crossroads," she said. "In the face of rapid social and technological change, the balance between public safety and human rights must be maintained."

She concluded that the Police Commission 2025 represents a milestone step towards a professional, ethical, and accountable policing culture -- one that can transform the force into a trusted, humane institution and a true pillar of justice and democracy.

FP/A