If needed, I will work as an OC: DMP commissioner

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam said that he is ready to do the job of an officer-in-charge to ensure hassle-free service at police stations.

If the people do not get expected services at any police station in the metropolitan area, senior officers would be sent there once a week.

They will listen to the public sufferings and make police stations more people-oriented, he added.

"If necessary, I myself will do the job of an officer-in-charge (OC) and talk to local people," said Shafiqul Islam.

The newly appointed DMP commissioner was briefing journalists at the Media Centre of the DMP headquarters in the city yesterday.

Police should be vigilant so that people who come to police stations to seek legal services do not face any kind of harassment, said the commissioner. 

He also informed the newsmen that all OCs of the police stations and deputy commissioners of the different zones under the DMP have been given instructions to ensure strict monitoring to reduce the harassment of people.

The DMP chief also warned of taking stern actions against police officials who would be found guilty of harassing people and demanding extortion.   

Replying to a query, he assured journalists that he would take proper steps so that people can lodge general diaries or file cases without any harassment.

When people return from police stations, they should return with the guarantee that they will get back their lost goods and dignity, he said.

Opining that people should have faith in police, Shafiqul Islam said that he will take measures to remove the fear about police from the people's mind.

In reply to another query about more than one OC in the same police stations under the DMP, Shafiqul said a police officer needs to have a different experience for working with the DMP.

There is a huge difference between policing at the DMP and at the district level, he claimed. 

"We are monitoring the activities of the OCs in the Dhaka metropolitan area. If no allegation of any public harassment is brought against anyone, there is no reason for transferring them to another police station", he said.

The DMP commissioner also requested the people to inform the DMP high-ups of any specific allegations they have against any OC.

"Please inform us. We will take actions against them," he said.

"We know who is doing what. Posting will be given on the basis of their performance."

During his first media briefing, Commissioner Shafiqul also talked about the capital's perennial traffic problem.

"After taking charge, I sat with the senior officers of the traffic division and ordered them to stay on the field at least 8 hours a day," he said. 

"Not only traffic sergeants but also senior officers, including deputy commissioners, assistant deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners, will have to stay in the field. We have taken firm resolution to solve the city's traffic problem."                

The DMP chief also noted that police alone cannot solve the problem and that everybody has to come forward to deal with it in an effective manner. 

He went on saying that although the police department is determined to improve the traffic situation in the city, everything is not in their hands. 

There are multiple factors that pose obstructions on their way to attaining success in this regard, he mentioned. 

"The number of cars plying the city streets is increasing every day, but the number of roads is not. Besides, various development works are going on, which also caused a shrinking in the road space," Shafiqul explained.

Moreover, he pointed out, people often block roads in the name of movement exacerbating traffic jam in the city.

"If any road is blocked for several minutes, the traffic situation of the entire capital is affected," he said.

The DMP commissioner also said that there are many foot-over bridges in the city but most people do not use those. 

Noting that most of the citizens are apathetic to obeying the law, he said, "If we enforce the law properly, as many as 50 cases can be filed against each bus every day."