The move to appoint private security personnel stationed at shopping malls and residential areas in Dhaka as an “auxiliary police force” without any salary or allowances has raised concerns among crime analysts.
Highlighting the realities of Bangladesh, they say that allowing the auxiliary force to arrest “anyone if necessary”, like police, could lead to “unintended consequences”.
Citing a shortage of police personnel, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, or DMP, plans to add this new workforce as “auxiliary police officers” to boost security efforts.
DMP officials say they cannot immediately ensure police presence at all “required” locations.
Therefore, some individuals are being given “police powers”.
A DMP Headquarters official told bdnews24.com, “We are connecting with the in-charges of existing security personnel at different markets and residential areas. We have collected their names, photos, and details through Dhaka’s 50 police stations. Their appointment letters will be issued through the stations.”
The official also said a formal announcement on when they will start working would be made later.
DMP’s Deputy Commissioner for Media and Public Relations Muhammad Talebur Rahman told bdnews24.com, “We have initially prepared a list of 419 people. However, more may be added, and some may be excluded.”
When asked about their start date, he said: “The process is ongoing.”
Crime analysts question how this “auxiliary force” will maintain transparency in arrests when even police struggle with it.
They argue that Bangladesh’s “community policing” model has not yielded positive results, and while auxiliary forces exist in some countries, police here could face new challenges in managing them.
However, former police officials believe it could work as a temporary measure if “proper supervision” is ensured.
They suggest it will be effective if “verified and trained personnel” are appointed and adequately supervised.
Touhidul Haque, associate professor at Dhaka University’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research and a crime analyst, said: “This concept contradicts our reality. We may soon see them making arrests and delivering their own judgments. Instances of physical assault or humiliation are not unlikely in Bangladesh’s context.”
“There are personal conflicts and political factors in our reality. Given this situation, maintaining equal legal enforcement through this auxiliary force will be extremely challenging. I do not see much reliability in this approach.”
DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali introduced the initiative during a press conference on Saturday.
He said, “As per metropolitan police law, I have the authority to recruit an auxiliary police force. Accordingly, I am appointing private security personnel to this role.”
The commissioner cited his authority under Section 10 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1976, which states:
“If assistance from this force is deemed necessary in any situation, the police commissioner may appoint any person as an auxiliary police officer.”
“Each appointed auxiliary police officer shall receive a certificate and enjoy the same powers, privileges, duties, responsibilities, and liabilities as any other police officer and shall remain under the same authority.”
At the press conference, the DMP commissioner said: “They will wear a band identifying them as auxiliary police officers. According to the law, they will perform the same duties as I or my police officers do.
“They will have the authority to arrest anyone and will receive the same legal protection as police officers. I have initiated this programme.”
In response to a question, he said: “Once appointed by the police commissioner, they will function as police officers with full authority, including the power to make arrests.”
HOW WILL THE ‘AUXILIARY FORCE’ OPERATE?
DMP officials working on the initiative say the new auxiliary police officers will not have a designated uniform but will wear an armband.
They will not be provided with firearms and will receive a certificate as identification.
“We will try to make the certificate function like an ID card, with a barcode embedded,” an official said.
“All appointed auxiliary police officers’ details will be uploaded to the DMP website. If anyone has doubts, they can scan the barcode to verify the officer’s identity.”
The barcode is being introduced to prevent misuse of the system, he added.
Although these auxiliary officers will have the same authority as police officers, they will not hold specific ranks such as sub-inspector or constable. Instead, their designation will simply be “auxiliary police officer”.
“Those selected for this role are already on duty in some capacity. Now, they will be granted police powers, which will enhance our surveillance capabilities,” the official said.
Explaining the legal aspect, he gave an example: “If an ordinary citizen tries to prevent a crime and faces obstruction, it is not considered a legal offence. But if a police officer is obstructed, they receive legal protection under “obstruction of government duty”. Auxiliary officers will have this legal backing, unlike community policing volunteers.”
The initiative is not linked to any financial benefits, despite having similar authority to police officers under the ordinance.
“They are already receiving benefits from their current employers. If we were to introduce a separate salary structure, it would require approvals from the Police Headquarters, home ministry, and finance ministry—making it a long-term process,” the official said.
These officers will operate under designated police stations and will initially be deployed in major shopping malls.
Former inspector general of police Muhammad Nurul Huda believes the initiative could be effective if trained personnel are recruited and properly supervised.
“Those being selected are already trained private security personnel, many of whom are former members of the armed forces or police. They don’t need weapons training—just a short course on legal matters will suffice. If retired police officers are involved, it won’t be too difficult,” he told bdnews24.com.
HOW AUXILIARY FORCES OPERATE IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Countries such as Denmark, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, and Singapore have established “auxiliary forces” within their police departments.
However, these forces operate under specific guidelines and recruitment procedures in those nations.
The London police accept applications for their Volunteer as an Auxiliary Officer programme.
According to the London police website, candidates must be at least 20 years old, mentally and physically fit, hold a secondary school diploma or an equivalent qualification, and score at least 75 percent on the “police fitness” test to join as an auxiliary officer.
Applicants must also meet requirements for eyesight, possess a first-aid certificate, have a valid driving licence, and complete an initial 50-hour training programme.
Following an application and screening process, candidates undergo fitness tests and interviews before final selection.
Those associated with the London police through this programme assist in different public events, crime prevention initiatives, missing person searches, and information booths.
They are required to work at least 15 hours per month.
COMMUNITY AND BEAT POLICING IN BANGLADESH
The concept of “community policing” in Bangladesh was introduced to prevent crime, raise public awareness, and reduce the gap between the police and the people by involving the community in law enforcement.
The first community policing initiative in the country was launched in Mymensingh in 1993.
The following year, similar initiatives were introduced in two police stations in Dhaka.
In 2005, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme, or UNDP, this “people-oriented” policing model was expanded nationwide under a police reform programme.
The implementation of community policing involved forming committees in coordination with local government structures to extend police services to the grassroots level and prevent crime.
To enhance its effectiveness, the system was divided into different “beats” with separate committees for each area.
The second officer of a police station served as the community police officer, or CPO, by default.
They maintained relations with local citizens and influential figures to prevent crime and raise awareness about its consequences.
The sub-inspector, or SI, in charge of each beat was responsible for monitoring criminal activities, while the CPO supervised their work.
Through this process, “yard meetings” were held to raise awareness about crime and strengthen the connection between the police and the community.
However, since community policing committees were formed in coordination with local government structures, this system collapsed following the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5.
Crime expert Touhidul told bdnews24.com, “The community-based policing initiatives we have seen did not yield the expected results because they were exploited for personal and political interests. Allegations of financial transactions have also been raised.”
“None of the community-based policing initiatives have been successful. In our system, whenever individuals have been integrated into legal processes, most have ended up misusing or abusing the law,” he said.
CONCERNS OVER ABUSE OF POWER
While the initiative to implement an auxiliary force is seen as part of efforts to “normalise” the law and order by addressing the shortage of police, crime expert Touhidul raises concerns about granting these forces the power to make arrests in the context of Bangladesh’s realities.
He said, “Granting arrest powers to just anyone is risky. This power could be exploited for personal vendettas, to frame someone, or to engage in bribery—either releasing someone for a fee or falsely implicating someone.”
In the current “chaotic situation”, Touhidul emphasises the importance of strong oversight and supervision over any grant of arrest powers, adding: “Since police have decided to implement this, we need to understand its implications in practice.
“However, without robust monitoring from police, the original intent could fail, potentially creating new challenges for law enforcement.”
When asked about the potential for power abuse, he replied: “These measures are temporary and only for a short period, so there is no problem. The department’s officials don’t abuse power; they are supervised, and so will these officers.
“Proper supervision and control are necessary, and the individuals should be verified and given basic training,” he said.
“As a temporary measure, it’s fine,” he added.
