Private Security Personnel to Act as ‘Auxiliary Police’ with Arrest Powers During Ramadan

With a shortage of police personnel ahead of Eid, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is set to deploy private security personnel as an “auxiliary force” to assist law enforcement in maintaining order, DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali announced at a press briefing in the capital’s Minto Road today.

Responding to journalists’ questions, Commissioner Ali said 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.

With extended shopping hours during Ramadan, the DMP commissioner noted that the police force faces manpower limitations. The auxiliary officers will be identified by a band labeled “Auxiliary Police Officer” and will have the same responsibilities as regular officers.

“They will have the authority to arrest individuals and will enjoy the same legal protection as police officers,” Ali said. “In any operation, they will be regarded as full-fledged law enforcement personnel.”

He further emphasized, “This man is certified by the police commissioner. He is simply a police officer and will be regarded as one. He will have the same legal rights and responsibilities as our regular officers.”

Addressing recent mob justice incidents, Ali issued a strict warning against unauthorized raids on homes or businesses based on suspicions of cash or valuables being stored.

“Only law enforcement agencies have the authority to conduct raids. No individual or group has the right to storm a house or office under any pretext. We have already taken strong legal action against offenders in such cases,” he warned.

When questioned about Hizb ut-Tahrir’s poster campaigns in Dhaka, the commissioner clarified that DMP’s Detective Branch (DB) is primarily focused on criminal intelligence, not general intelligence gathering.

“We have already arrested 22 individuals linked to Hizb ut-Tahrir and taken legal action based on intelligence from other agencies,” he added.

Ali also urged journalists and social media users to avoid over-amplifying isolated criminal incidents, which could create unnecessary panic.

“We share the same mission – to inform the public responsibly. Repeated coverage of incidents like the Banasree robbery can spread fear, especially among children, the elderly, and vulnerable individuals,” he cautioned.

“Report the news, but avoid excessive repetition that fuels anxiety in society,” the DMP commissioner added.