Dhaka Metropolitan Police
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police is the unit of Bangladesh Police responsible for law enforcement in the metropolis of Dhaka, the national capital and most populous city in Bangladesh. The DMP is the largest police force unit in Bangladesh. At present the DMP commissioner is Md. Shafiqul Islam BPM.
History
During a major reorganization and expansion of Bangladesh's national police forces, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police was established on 1 February 1976 to maintain law and order in the country's capital and largest city. It initially had 6,000 personnel in 12 police stations. With the rapid population growth of the city, the need of an expanded and better equipped police increased. The government planned a major expansion of police. Consequently, the establishment of 50 police stations has been completed. The number of personnel has been expanded, with newer ranks and officer corps.Organisation
The current total strength of stands at around more than 34,000 personnel and 50 police stations. The DMP organisation is divided into 42 divisions headed by five additional commissioners aided by joint commissioners, deputy commissioners, additional deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners. Here is the DMP organogram in brief:- Headquarters and Administration: Additional Commissioner administers the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Headquarters. Joint Commissioner assists him in this regard. Joint Commissioner helps him with his 10,500 officers by governing arms of the police, handling appointments, training, logistics, supplies and other administrative functions. Additional Commissioner has 15 divisions under his supervision.
- Crime and Operations Additional Commissioner administers and oversees the functions of all the city police stations. Joint Commissioner and Joint Commissioner assist him in managing the crime divisions. Joint Commissioner is responsible for providing security to VIPs, members of parliament, government officials, foreign dignitaries and others. Additional Commissioner has 14 divisions under his supervision.
- Detective and Criminal Intelligence: Additional Commissioner is responsible for fighting organised crime, homicide, theft, drug trafficking, crimes against women and human trafficking. He has 5 divisions under his supervision.
- Traffic: Additional Commissioner is responsible for serving as the traffic police of the city, regulating vehicular traffic, speed and parking laws, pedestrian and road security. Four divisions are under his supervision.
- Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime is a specialized branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police comprising 600 officers, formed in 2016, to tackle terrorism and transnational crime. Monirul Islam, Additional Commissioner is the chief of the branch. There are four divisions are under his supervision.
SWAT
Cyber Crime Investigation Division
The Cyber Security & Crime Division, more commonly known as the Cyber Crime Division, is a branch of Bangladesh Police which is operated under the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. The main function of this division is to prevent, patrol, detect and investigate cyber-terrorism and cyber-crime in Dhaka.SWPC
Female officers were first inducted into the DMP in 1978. The DMP also raised a Special Women Police Contingent in 2008 with the intention of developing a special unit consisting only of women that would investigate crimes involving female criminals. An assistant commissioner heads the SWPC force of 24 women officers.Thana List of Dhaka Metropolitan Police
The DMP also collaborates and maintains organizational links with the Bangladesh Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh, Special Branch, Bangladeshi intelligence community, Rapid Action Battalion and other national security agencies.Controversies
- Mahbubur Rahman Sujon, a small trader, was arrested by sub-inspector Jahidur Rahman of Mirpur police station. He was killed in custody in July 2014. SI Jahidur, who was previously stationed in Pallabi area, was also involved in the custody death of Jony, arrested from a Mirpur Bihari camp. Jahidur was taken into custody as a murder case over the death of Sujon had been filed against him and six other accused in July 2014 after the incident. Sujon's wife had filed the case under Torture and Custodial Death Act-2013; the investigation was handed over to Detective Branch. Officer in Charge of Mirpur Station Salahuddin Khan was also accused of being involved by Sujon's wife. Salahuddin Khan was killed in the July 2016 Dhaka attack by terrorists.
- In March 2014, Jisan, a 17-year-old student, of Dhaka City College was arrested by police from Dhanmondi Police Station. He was allegedly tortured by sub-inspector Sahidul Biswas, who demanded 1 million taka to end the torture. Jisan's father gave 0.4 million taka to plainclothes individuals inside the police station. Jisan had to be admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for his injuries. Dhaka Metropolitan Police denied the allegations of torture.
- In January 2015, three teenagers were killed in police custody in Mirpur police station. The teenagers were handed over to police on accusation of attempted arson during Bangladesh Nationalist Party protests. Police claimed they died from mob beating. This was contradicted by evidence that the teenagers had 56 bullet injuries.
- On 7 April 2015, Uttara West Police station claimed that they tortured a suspect in custody following directives of senior police officers.
- In November 2016 Dhaka Metropolitan Police asked the Directorate General of Health Services not to release the detailed autopsy report of people killed in Crossfire with police to the press.
- On 3 December 2019, sub-inspector Mostafizur Rahman and 5 other police officers of Uttara west police station were sued at for allegedly extorting a banker of Sonali Bank.
- On 16 January 2014, Tapan Chandra Saha, officer in charge of Uttara west police station was sued for the death of man in custody at the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court. The deceased's wife alleged that her husband was tortured in custody and she paid 50 thousand taka in bribes. On 24 January 2020, the court ordered Detective Branch to investigate on the incident.