Female members of police opening new horizons in leadership

More than five decades after the first recruitment of female members in Bangladesh Police in 1974, women in the country's law enforcement agency are now entering into the new horizons of leadership.

Once confined to supportive roles, female police officers are now serving at every level of the force. Their active presence is visible across all ranks, from constables patrolling communities to officers holding the rank of Additional Inspector General (Additional IGP).

Additional Inspector General of the Industrial Police, Gazee Jasim Uddin, told BSS that female police members have proven their capabilities at every level, from constable to Additional IGP, through hard work, dedication, professionalism, and efficiency.

He said, "Women are successfully performing their assigned duties at every stage, from constable to Additional IG. This is an extremely positive development. In terms of competence, they are not lagging behind in any way."

Mentioning the role of the Industrial Police, he said that female police members are playing a crucial role in resolving labor unrest, especially in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, where the majority of workers are women. Without the contributions of female police members, it would have been difficult to effectively address labor unrest in industrial areas.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Mahmuda Begum, serving at the Industrial Police Unit-3 in Chattogram, shared her 16-year career experience, stating that the sincerity, professionalism, and dedication of the force's female members inspire her.

She said that female officers have reached high positions such as Additional Inspector General through professional competence, which is encouraging more women to join the police force.

Recalling her experience serving in the crime division, Mahmuda said that women who are victims of rape or domestic violence speak much more openly when they come to us because they feel we can understand their emotions.

She said that many women and child victims feel hesitant to share their traumatic experiences in front of male officers. As a female investigator, it is possible to gain trust more quickly, which helps improve the quality of evidence collection during investigations.

SP Mahmuda Begum stated that compared to the previous generation, the professional opportunities and facilities for female police members have significantly increased today.

She said, "When senior female officers guide their junior colleagues, it creates confidence throughout the entire force. Now, young women joining Bangladesh Police know that it is possible to reach the highest levels of leadership through dedication and professional excellence."

Sharing her experience working in the Industrial Police, Mahmuda mentioned that female garment workers feel more comfortable discussing their problems with female officers, and she always tries to resolve their issues.

She advised female workers to call the national emergency service 999 in case of emergencies or when they need police assistance.

Although the number of female members and their responsibilities have significantly increased, female officers believe that there is still a long way to go to achieve equal representation in leadership, investigation, and operational policing.

This issue was particularly highlighted recently at the Dhaka Divisional Consultation Workshop on the implementation of the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan of the Bangladesh Police Women Network (BPWN), held at the Rajarbagh Bangladesh Police Auditorium.
The recruitment of the first female members in Bangladesh Police in 1974 marked the beginning of a historic chapter. At that time, their duties were largely administrative and limited in scope.

But over time, women have overcome various institutional barriers and are now serving in various roles across ranks, including Constable, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), Sub-Inspector (SI), Inspector, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Additional Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police (SP), Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Additional DIG, and Additional IGP.

According to Bangladesh Police data, there are currently 17,970 female members serving in the force, which constitutes 9.07 percent of the total workforce.

Female members are currently serving in Metropolitan Police, District Police, Armed Police Battalion (APBn), Special Branch (SB), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Tourist Police, Highway Police, River Police, Police Headquarters, and also in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Additionally, Bangladesh has earned international acclaim by deploying all-female formed police units in UN peacekeeping operations.

Since its establishment in 2008, the Bangladesh Police Women Network (BPWN) has been functioning as the primary platform for the professional development of female police members.

The organization's five strategic priorities are: increasing the representation of female members at all levels, promoting them to leadership and decision-making positions, enhancing professional and investigative skills, ensuring a safe and inclusive work environment, and strengthening gender-sensitive policing.

At the workshop, BPWN's General Secretary and Additional DIG (Training-2) at Police Headquarters, Mosammat Shahala Parvin, presented the 2024-2027 strategic plan, emphasizing the development of leadership among female officers and institutional reforms.

The workshop also featured various sessions on cybercrime investigation, cyber awareness, mental well-being, workplace safety, and the implementation of High Court directives on preventing sexual harassment.

Representatives from UN Women conducted technical sessions on victim-centered policing and stressed the importance of following gender-sensitive approaches in investigations.

Training provided by BPWN and UN Women focuses on victim-centered investigation, trauma-informed interviewing, and integrated support services for women and children.

A female Sub-Inspector serving in a Metropolitan Police unit stated that female officers have also demonstrated their capability in conducting major operations.

She said, "Our responsibilities have increased over time. However, opportunities in intelligence operations, crime investigation, and operational leadership should be equally enhanced. Female officers have repeatedly proven that we are capable of professionally conducting complex operations."

At the Dhaka Divisional Workshop, Enrico Lorenzoni, from the delegation of the European Union, said that the successful implementation of BPWN's strategic plan will depend on sustainable institutional commitment and national-level leadership.

Meanwhile, Srabana Dutta, Manager of the Ending Violence Against Women Unit at UN Women, called for identifying the professional capacity gaps of female officers so that future training programs can be conducted more effectively.

Women are increasingly being placed at the center of Bangladesh Police's modernization efforts. By strengthening cybercrime investigation, expanding victim-centered policing, and increasing women's participation in leadership, the force is gradually transforming its operations.

Although women currently make up just over 9 percent of the total members of Bangladesh Police, the trend of inclusive participation continues. Police leadership, development partners, and female officers believe that if recruitment is increased, leadership opportunities expanded, specialized training provided, and operational duties enhanced, women will be able to contribute more effectively at every level, from Constable to Additional IGP.

Through the implementation of BPWN's 2024-2027 strategic plan, female police members hope that the next chapter of their journey will not only be marked by numerical growth but also by equal opportunities, stronger leadership, and the creation of a modern police system that reflects the diversity of the people.