The Bangladesh Police () is the national law enforcement service of Bangladesh, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is responsible for maintaining peace, enforcing law and order, and ensuring the safety and security of citizens across the country. While primarily concerned with law enforcement and protection of individuals and property, the Bangladesh Police also play a significant role in the criminal justice system. Established before the 1971 Liberation War, the force contributed actively during the war and has since evolved into the country's principal policing institution. The Bangladesh Police also participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions, providing personnel for international law enforcement and security operations.
History
Medieval period Details of policing activities, during the middle age are challenging to find. However, during the periods of the Bengal Sultanate, an official holding the position of Muhtasib used to perform the duties of policing. This person was the chief of police, in charge of public works, and the inspector of public ethics simultaneously. In urban areas, Kotwals were responsible for performing police duties. The policing system introduced by Sher Shah Suri was further organised during the period of Emperor Akbar: the Emperor organised his administrative structure introducing Fouzdari (the principal representative of the Emperor), Mir Adal and Kazi (the head of judicial department), and Kotwal (the chief police official of larger cities). This system was effective in maintaining the law and order in cities, and was implemented in Dhaka. Many district sadar police stations are still called Kotwali police stations. In the Mughal period, Kotwal emerged as an institution.
A Fouzdar was appointed to every administrative unit of the government (district), under whom there were some artillery and cavalry forces. There was a disciplined police system during the Mughal period, though there was no professional police force like that in the British period.
British period (1857–1947) In the early stage of the Industrial Revolution, when England was facing grave crisis due to socio-economic transformation, the necessity of an effective organised police service was keenly felt. Sir Robert Peel, then the Prime Minister, introduced a bill in the British Parliament in 1829 that created an organised civil police in London. The success of the London police in controlling social disorder and crime was admired by not only the people of England but also of European and American countries: New York city copied the London model with some modifications when it organised the first Municipal Police Force, in 1833.
In 1858, full control of the Indian Territory was taken over from the East India Company by the British government. The success of the London Police organised under Peel's Metropolitan Police Act 1829 prompted the British government to reform the police system in the sub-continent in a similar way to British constabularies. With this end in view, a police commissioner was set up in 1861, and on the recommendation of the commission of the Police Act, 1861 (Act V of 1861), was passed. Under this act, a police force was created in each province of British India, and placed under the control of the provincial government. The administration of the police force of a province was vested upon an officer styled as the Inspector-general of police. The administration of the police in a district was placed under the Superintendent of Police. The Act is still in force throughout the sub-continent, and regulates the function of police in Bangladesh, as well as the other countries of the sub-continent.
Pakistan period (1947–1970) After the partition of the sub-continent in 1947, the police force in Bangladesh was first named as the East Bengal Police, and then as the East Pakistan Police; however, it continued to function on the same lines as during the British rule. The police could many times be used to suppress protest or movements like the Nachole uprising, Bengali language movement, 1962 East Pakistan Education movement and 1969 East Pakistan mass uprising.
Role in Liberation War In the Bangladesh Liberation War, Bengali-speaking police officers participated with the citizens, leading to deaths from most ranks, fighting with .303 rifles against the Pakistani Army. The resistance by the Bengali members of police at Rajarbagh and in Kushtia is considered the first chapter of armed struggles during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Bangladesh Police founded a Liberation War Museum at the Rajarbagh police line in January 2017.
Bangladesh (1971–present) After the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent country on 16 December 1971, the police force was recognised and assumed the role of a national police force. In January 2004, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led government removed the boat from the police as it resembled the former ruling party, Awami League's election symbol. The boat symbol was brought back during the Premiership of Sheikh Hasina.
However, following the July Uprising, on 22 April 2025, the police logo and symbol was changed through a gazette published by the Interim government. The gazette of the new dress code was published on the same day. The new logo, resembles the National emblem of Bangladesh.
Organization Bangladesh Police is headed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), under whose command, Bangladesh Police is divided into several formations.
Formations Subnational Formations Range Police Metropolitan Police Commissionerates
Specialized Divisions Traffic Police Airport Armed Police (AAP) Diplomatic Security Division Tourist Police Highway Police Industrial Police (IP) Immigration Police (Bangladesh) River Police Railway Police (RP) Police Air Wing Mountain Police Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Police Force
Specialized Battalion Forces Special Security and Protection Battalion (SPBn) Special Armed Force (SAF) Range Reserve Force (RRF) Special Response Battalion (SRB) Armed Police Battalion (APBn)
Specialized Units SWAT (Bangladesh) Special Women Police Contingent Cyber Police Unit Crisis Response Team (CRT) Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) Canine Unit (CU)
Institutes Police Headquarters (PHQ) Police Staff College, Bangladesh (PSC) Bangladesh Police Academy, Sarda (BPA) Police Training Centers (PTCs) Specialized Training Center like DTS/TDS/FTC/SBTS/IPTC/ITTS/Telecom TS/MDTS/PSTS etc.
Intelligence Agencies Special Branch (SB) Detective Branch (DB) Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Counter Terrorism and Transnational Intelligence (CTTI) Police Internal Oversight (PIO) Intillegence & Analysis Division CT-Cyber Crime Investigation Telecommunication and Information Management (T&IM)
Investigation Directorates General Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Crime Division Serious Crime Investigation Women Support & Investigation Division Professional Standard & Internal Investigation Division
Ranks and insignia Superior officers (First-Class General Cadre Officers) Rank Abbreviation IGP Addl IGP DIGP Addl DIGP AIGP/SP/SSP Addl SP SASP ASP/PrASP Metropolitan Branch Commissioner of PoliceIn Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner of PoliceAdditional Police Commissioner Additional Police CommissionerJoint Commissioner of PoliceOnly in Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner of Police Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Senior) Assistant Commissioner of Police Assistant Commissioner of Police Post Abbreviation Comm'r DMP CP/Addl Comm'r DMP Addl CP/JCP (DMP) DCP ADCP SACP ACP Industrial Police Director General Additional Director General Director Deputy Director (Senior) Assistant Director Assistant Director Post Abbreviation DG ADG Dir DD SAD AD Gradehttps://bdservicerules.info/police-monthly-salary-in-bangladesh/ Supernumerary 1 2 3 4 5 6 & 7 9 (8)
Additional Inspector Generals of Police (Addl. IGs) serve directly under the Inspector General of Police (IGP). There were 11 Addl. IGs on the force as of 2009.
As of 2025, Addl. IGs command Special Branch, the CID, one unit of the Metropolitan Police, the Railway Police, the Highway Police, the Police Bureau of Investigation, the Anti Terrorism Unit, the Tourist Police, the Rapid Action Battalion, the Armed Police Battalion, the River Police, the Industrial Police, and two training units.
Subordinate officers Rank group First-Class Gazetted Officers Subordinate Officers Enlisted Armed Branch Armed Police Inspector Armed Sub-Inspector of Police Armed Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police Armed Police Nayek Armed Police Constable Industrial Police Deputy Assistant Director Circle Commander Assistant Sub-Inspector Nayek Constable Traffic Division Traffic Inspector Town Sub-Inspector Police Sergeant Assistant Town Sub-Inspector Traffic Constable Grade 8 & 9 9 & 10 11 13 & 14 16
Medals Police medals are awarded every year in the annual Police Week Parade. They are awarded both for bravery and service.
Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) Bangladesh Police Medal (Bravery) Bangladesh Police Medal (Service) President Police Medal (Bravery) President Police Medal (Service)
Selection and training The recruitment process differs according to the level of position being recruited to, and direct entry (where an applicant does not have to start at the lowest level) is possible. The educational requirements increase with rank. A minimum bachelor's degree is required for Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sub-Inspector, and Sergeant, and for Constable, a Secondary School Certificate is required. Recruitment is conducted in the following three tiers: In the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) In the rank of Sub-Inspector (SI) or Sergeant In the rank of Constable
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) The Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) are recruited by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) through the competitive Bangladesh Civil Service the Bangladesh Police Academy as Probationary ASPs. After passing from the academy, they undergo an orientation training for six months in the district level as a probationer. After that they are appointed as full-fledged Senior ASPs in different units as of 2026. Previously they were appointed as ASPs only.
Sub-Inspector (SI) Sub-Inspectors are recruited by Police Headquarters centrally. They undergo a one-year-long training in the Bangladesh Police Academy as Outside Cadet Sub-Inspectors. After that they have partake in two years probationary period in different police units. After that they have been appointed as a full-fledged SIs in different units.
Sergeant Sergeants are recruited by Police Headquarters centrally. After appointment they undergo a one-year-long training course in the Bangladesh Police Academy, at the rank of Probationary Sergeant. After passing from the academy, they also undergo an orientation training of one year in the rank of probationer.
Constable Constables are recruited at the district level. They undergo a six-month-long training in the Police Training Centre as a Trainee Recruit Constable career (TRC).
Training institutions The main training institution of the Bangladesh Police is the Bangladesh Police Academy, established in 1912 in Sardah. The Police Staff College, which trains officers from ASP to DIG in-service, was established in 2000 in Dhaka. Bangladesh Police also maintains Police Training Centre (PTC) in Tangail, Rangpur, Khulna and Noakhali. The Detective Training School was established in 1962 in Dhaka.
List of training institutions Police Staff College, Dhaka Bangladesh Police Academy, Sardah, Rajshahi Police Training Centre, Tangail Police Training Centre, Rangpur Police Training Centre, Khulna Police Training Centre, Noakhali Detective Training School (DTS), Rajarbagh, Dhaka