The interim administration of Bangladesh has approved a substantial recruitment drive for the national police force, sanctioning the intake of 14,000 new personnel alongside plans for a special civil service examination to address critical vacancies in superior ranks. Approved during a meeting of the Secretaries Committee on Administrative Development at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday, the measure aims to stabilize public order, reinforce field-level operations, and address operational gaps within law enforcement.
Under the sanctioned plan, the government will directly recruit 4,000 Sub-Inspectors (SIs) and 10,000 Constables. To facilitate the intake of Sub-Inspectors on this scale, authorities amended the Police Regulations of Bengal (PRB). Under traditional statutory provisions, half of all SI positions were reserved for direct recruitment, whilst the remaining 50 per cent were filled through departmental promotions. The temporary waiver of this rule allows all 4,000 vacant SI posts to be filled via direct entry—a historic precedent in the administrative history of the Bangladesh Police.
Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, indicated that the decision stems from an urgent imperative to maintain law and order across the country under changing socio-political dynamics. Having secured clearance from both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Administration, the Home Ministry aims to finalize the recruitment process for all 14,000 positions by December. Senior officials clarified that the 100 per cent direct entry rule for Sub-Inspectors remains an exceptional, one-off measure, though the executive retains the discretion to institute similar provisions in the future if operational necessity dictates.
In parallel with non-gazetted recruitment, the government is formulating plans to conduct a Special Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination—potentially designated as the 52nd BCS—to appoint between 400 and 500 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs). To expedite the deployment of these cadre officers, administrators are evaluating proposals to temporarily condense the traditional basic training period at the Bangladesh Police Academy.
The rapid expansion arrives amidst broader institutional reforms and scrutiny regarding past recruitment practices. Over the fifteen-and-a-half-year tenure of the previous Awami League administration, approximately 120,000 personnel were inducted into the force across the Constable, Sub-Inspector, and Sergeant cadres—representing nearly half of the current total strength of the Bangladesh Police. Concerns over political patronage, compromised vetting processes, and unauthorized disclosures of sensitive intelligence during that period have prompted home ministry officials to institute stringent screening measures. Candidates in the upcoming intake will undergo rigorous background checks conducted by intelligence agencies prior to final appointment.
Despite the administrative push, the decision to bypass departmental promotions for the Sub-Inspector cadre has raised concerns among serving officers. Senior analysts note that suspending internal advancement pathways risks fostering discontent and lowering morale among lower-tier officers awaiting long-overdue promotions. Maintaining a balance between institutional renewal and professional progression remains a key challenge for police headquarters as official circulars detailing age limits, educational qualifications, and physical standard requirements await formal publication.
