Interim government’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus officially inaugurated Police Week 2025 on Tuesday (April 29) at the Rajarbagh Police Lines in Dhaka. The three-day event is being held under the theme: “My Police, My Country — A Bangladesh Free of Discrimination.”
According to the Police Headquarters, this year’s Police Week is being observed in a scaled-back format in light of recent political changes in the country.
A total of 62 police officers have been awarded the Bangladesh Police Medal in recognition of their outstanding contributions. Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus personally presented the medals. Police units from across the country joined the ceremony virtually.
Although the weeklong celebration is usually held with full grandeur at the beginning of each year, this year’s event will run for four days with a more modest approach. Notably, there will be no annual parade or traditional meetings between senior police officials and the President, Prime Minister, or Chief Justice.
On the opening day, a meeting between the Home Affairs Adviser and senior police officials was held. The second day will feature discussions between police officers and secretaries or advisers of various ministries, while the third day will include an internal conference led by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The final day, Friday, will conclude with the annual PUNAK (Police Women Welfare Association) assembly and a cultural fair.
The decision to scale down the event is largely attributed to the aftermath of last year’s political unrest. In mid-2024, police faced widespread criticism for excessive use of force while suppressing anti-government protests.
On August 5, the day of the Sheikh Hasina government’s fall during a mass uprising, police encountered fierce public resistance. Several police stations, buildings, and vehicles were attacked or set on fire. In some cases, the bodies of police personnel were recovered from the violence-stricken precincts.
These events dealt a severe blow to the morale of the police force. Since assuming office, the interim government has taken various initiatives to restore the confidence and operational capacity of the police.
