BCS Viva Experience
Why do you want to join the police after studying Marketing?
Representational image of a BCS board. AI dsrwan photo.
Bachchu Rahman, a student of the Marketing Department of Dhaka University, has secured first position in the police cadre in the 47th BCS. After the results were published, he shared his viva board experience with Agamir Somoy. In the approximately 20–22 minute viva, board members asked questions on academic subjects, personality, cadre preference, and on various contemporary issues.
According to him, he was third in serial in the viva board queue.
How the viva began
After taking permission, Bachchu entered the room and greeted with Salam and Good morning. The chairman smiled and asked him to sit down. At the very beginning, the Chairman asked Bachchu about his identity, his studying at Dhaka University, and his current residence.
Bachchu Rahman.
Then the chairman asked about his cadre preference. Bachchu said his first preference is Police, followed by Administration, Ansar, and Customs cadres.
Bachchu Rahman's viva experience is being presented as verbatim for the readers:
Chairman: Your name is Bachchu Rahman. Have you studied at Dhaka University? Where do you live now?
Answer: Yes, sir. I currently live at my village home.
Chairman: Tell me your choice list about job.
Answer: Police Cadre, Admin Cadre, Ansar Cadre, Customs Cadre.
(After saying these, sir stopped me and said—)
Chairman: Due to the role of the police in the July Mass Uprising, a negative perception has been created among the people of the country, hasn't it? How can this negative perception be erased?
Answer: Sir, I think police need to be given freedom to perform their professional duties, so that they are not forced to do anything against public interest due to political pressure. For this, it is essential to form an independent police commission.
Chairman: You have studied Marketing, haven't you? What contributions do you think you can make to the police force by studying Marketing?
Answer: Sir, studying Marketing has taught me how to build good relationships with people. Besides, we have also been taught how to reach from the pain points of a problem to its possible solution. I believe I can use this knowledge to build a good relationship between the police and the people and to make the police more people-friendly.
External–1: Did you conduct any research during your studies?
Answer: Yes, sir, I did.
External–1: Then tell me, what is SWOT Analysis?
Answer: Sir, it is a method for evaluating the position and capability of an organization or an individual. Here, S stands for Strength, W stands for Weakness, O stands for Opportunity, and T stands for Threat.
External–1: What kind of co-curricular activities have you participated in?
Answer: Sir, I like to play sports, but I haven't done much. Because I spent most of my university life focusing on my studies.
External–1: Have you ever done debating?
Answer: Yes, sir. I did it in school and college life, but very little during university.
External–1: Why do you want to join the police after studying Marketing?
Answer: Sir, an important philosophy of Marketing is that "Customer is the King"—meaning the service recipient is the central focus of all activities. We are taught to understand the service recipient's problems and find the best possible solutions for them. So, if I can join the police, it will be easier for me to identify people's problems and provide effective solutions.
External–2: Alright, Bachchu Rahman, you are a Marketing student. Sell yourself.
Answer: Sir, in my opinion, a police officer needs to have six qualities—Polite, Obedient, Loyal, Intelligent, Competent, and Eligible. I believe these six qualities are present in me.
Besides this, my strong willpower to perform my duties with sincerity in the workplace and the lack of excessive financial ambition are also among my qualities.
So, sir, if you give me the opportunity to join the police service, I believe Bangladesh Police will get a determined and responsible member.
External–2: You said it is essential to form an independent police commission. But the government uses the police, doesn't it? Will the government ever form an independent police commission?
Answer: Sir, in this case, the government must set an example of generosity and courageous steps.
External–2: Alright, Bachchu, in this case, isn't it more important for the police themselves to become more honest and competent?
Answer: Yes, sir, certainly. However, to ensure this, the police recruitment process must first be made more transparent and accountable. If a police officer is forced to pay a large amount of bribe to get the job, then it becomes very difficult for him to maintain honesty in his professional life.
Chairman: Thank you very much. You may leave now.
Answer: Thank you very much too, sir. Assalamu Alaikum.
(Besides these, one or two more questions were asked; but I can't remember them at the moment.)
