To build an efficient and effective police service as an integral part of the broader justice sector, and as a key contributor to a safer and more secure environment based on respect for human rights, equitable access to justice and observance of the rule of law.

The Police Reform Programme (PRP) is a long-term and comprehensive capacity building initiative to improve human security in Bangladesh and support the transition from a colonial style police force to democratic policing by strengthening the Bangladesh Police’s ability to contribute to a safer and more secure environment based on respect for the rule of law, human rights and equitable access to justice.

The achievements of PRP 1^st Phase signal positive movement towards a more effective and service orientated police. However, in all areas further effort is required to consolidate the results. As such the basic rationale of the PRP remains valid:

• Significant problems exist with law and order, corruption, rule of law and access to justice in Bangladesh, and these issues adversely impact on the poor and vulnerable especially women and children;

• The problems are so profound that they have serious implications for the social and economic well being of the country; and

• The Police cannot solve these problems alone and need to work in close collaboration with the MoHA, relevant Ministries and agencies in the broader criminal justice sector, civil society, NGOs, development partners and the community.

There are many problems still to be addressed in the reform and renewal of the Bangladesh Police through the Police Reform Programme. These include:  

• Shortfalls in supervisory and managerial competence;

• Police are under-resourced and under-trained;

• Low motivation and morale linked to low pay, poor working conditions, limited promotion prospects (especially at the lower levels);

• Low number of women police and low representation in supervisory and management positions;

• Propensity to focus on protocol, ceremonial and static security tasks;

• Inadequate overall strategic planning, including human resource and career development, transparency and accountability of function;

• Lack of specialised technical capacity to deal with emerging crimes;

• External influences on police management and effective operations;

• Lack of confidence of the community, civil society and business in the police service;

• Lack of sensitivity by the police on the plight of victims of crime, particularly women, young people, minorities, the landless poor, street people and other vulnerable groups; and

• Existence of opportunistic and institutional corruption.

Component 1: Strategic Direction and Organisational Reform

Objective: Build the capacity of the Bangladesh Police to formulate and implement its organizational vision.

Outcome: Strategic direction and organisational reform supported by planning and budgeting, enhanced accountability and oversight, and a modernised legislative framework

Component 2: Human Resource Management and Training

Objective: Improve the human capital of the Bangladesh Police

Outcome: Human Resource Management systems and structures strengthened and training capacity enhanced to produce more competent and professional police

Component 3: Investigations, Operations and Prosecutions

Objective: Undertake investigations in a timely and professional manner based on sound evidence and case management and improved preparation and presentation of court documents.

Outcome: Improved police operations, investigations and prosecutions to enhance fair and equitable justice

Component 4: Crime Prevention and Community Policing

Objective: Establish a sustainable structure, through which community policing will function from the Crime Prevention Cell at Headquarters to District level and down to the Thana and individual Forum.

Outcome: Improved trust and interaction between community and police resulting in improved access to justice, human rights and reduced fear of crime

Component 5: Promoting Gender Sensitive Policing

Objective: Increase representation of women in the Bangladesh Police and provide training on how to work effectively with women (whether as colleagues or clients) in a non-discriminatory and equitable way.

Outcome: Bangladesh Police promote the rights of women and children to be free of fear through improved representation at all levels and the provision of equitable and sensitive policing and victim support services

Component 6: Information, Communications and Technology

Objective: Revise and update the Bangladesh Police Information Management Strategy and develop a costed Master Implementation Plan for the governance, management, procurement and roll-out of ICT Strategy and Enterprise Architecture for Bangladesh Police.

Outcome:  Bangladesh Police is progressively making use of cost effective and sustainable information communication technology to provide better service to the community.

Monitoring and Evaluation will be strengthened with a focus on impact and aid effectiveness. Support will also be given to the Bangladesh Police and Ministry of Home Affairs to enhance their monitoring and evaluation skills.

The Programme Support, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit in the Project Team has the primary responsibility for monitoring and evaluation. The Unit will be administered and overseen by the Planning and Monitoring Specialist. The following documents will be produced[1]:

• Monthly Reports

• Quarterly Reports

• Annual Reports

• Inception Report (following inception workshop)

• Technical Reports

• Research reports and surveys

• Workshop Proceedings

• Programme Completion Report

• Other reports as needed

Independent and internal reviews, audits and evaluations will also be facilitated by the Programme Support, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit. These include:

• DFID Output to Purpose Reviews

• Baseline, mid term and project impact evaluations

• Mid term and project completion capacity assessments to guide plans for any future support

• Audits

• ERD reviews

• Tripartite review

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