Explainer: What is an Auxiliary Police Officer?

With Eid shopping in full swing and a shortage of police personnel this Ramadan, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) plans to deploy private security personnel as an “auxiliary force” to help maintain order.

DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali recently announced that 500 private security personnel are being recruited as auxiliary police officers to support regular law enforcement.

“I have the authority to appoint an auxiliary police force. We are enlisting private security personnel under this provision,” he said.

This raises several questions: What is an auxiliary police officer? How do they operate in different countries? And what are the implications of such a move?

Understanding Auxiliary Police Officers

Auxiliary police officers are law enforcement personnel who assist regular police forces in maintaining public safety. They typically do not have full police powers but may perform crowd control, traffic management, and community patrols. However, in some jurisdictions, they can be granted limited enforcement authority, including arrest powers.

How Different Countries Use Auxiliary Police

New York City (USA)

• The NYPD Auxiliary Police is a volunteer unit that does not carry firearms but is trained in unarmed tactics, crowd control, and traffic management.
• They patrol neighborhoods in uniform and act as “eyes and ears” for the police.
• They have no arrest powers, but they can detain individuals under certain circumstances.

Hong Kong

• The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF) supports the Hong Kong Police Force.
• Unlike NYC, Hong Kong auxiliary officers do carry firearms and have full police powers when on duty.
• They handle public events, crime prevention, and disaster response.

Singapore

• Singapore’s Auxiliary Police Officers are private security personnel licensed to carry out law enforcement duties.
• Some are deployed in key installations like airports and ports.
• They can carry weapons and make arrests, depending on their assignment.

Causes for Concern?

The proposal to grant arrest powers to private security personnel acting as auxiliary police during Ramadan raises some concerns:

• Lack of Training: Unlike regular police, private security personnel are not trained to handle complex law enforcement situations.
• Accountability Issues: Who will oversee these security officers? Will they be subject to police regulations or operate under private companies?
• Risk of Abuse: Given Bangladesh’s history of excessive force and human rights concerns, empowering private personnel could lead to misuse of power.

The Bigger Picture: Security vs. Rights

Many countries use auxiliary police effectively, but in structured ways with strict regulations. Dhaka Metropolitan Police must carefully evaluate whether this is a practical solution or a potential threat to civil liberties.

Would you feel safer if private security personnel had the power to make arrests? Or does this raise more questions than answers?