Public service reform: The case for police reform in the Bangladesh Police Service.

Abstract

After independence, all commonwealth countries undertook public service reform, which is deemed crucial to promote a safe and secure environment that is conducive to economic and social growth. Police reform in the Bangladesh Police Service, as part of a larger public service reform programme was explored in this article. The purpose of the article was to unravel the reasons why administrative reform in the Bangladesh Police Service had not fully achieved its intended outcomes. The objective was to identify the challenges preventing effective administrative reform in the Bangladesh Police Service. The study adopted a qualitative approach and included quantitative elements. A literature study was undertaken and semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather information. A purposive sampling method was used, which comprised of 50 participants. Based on the findings of the research study for this article, it was deduced that the progress that was made in police reform in the Bangladesh Police Service was not sufficient to translate into improved service delivery to communities. The findings of the study indicated that police reform was hampered mainly by a high degree of politicisation, a lack of political will, poor working conditions and corruption. The article argued that such challenges are likely to continue to prevent meaningful administrative reform in the Bangladesh Police Service. A number of recommendations are therefore made in an effort to address the challenges preventing effective police reform. The aim of the article is to promote ‘real and committed’ reform in the Bangladesh Police Service.