Home Minister calls for French assistance in police reform and capacity building

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has sought France’s cooperation in police reform and capacity building.

He made the request when Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet paid a courtesy call on him at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat today.

The minister said improving law and order remains the government’s top priority, highlighting ongoing efforts to reform and strengthen law enforcement agencies, including the police.

Welcoming the ambassador, he noted that the government has adopted short-, medium-, and long-term plans to restore public confidence in law enforcement and enhance their operational capacity.

The meeting included detailed discussions on a range of bilateral issues, including law and order, security cooperation, mob control, counterterrorism, police reform, restructuring of the Rapid Action Battalion, forensic collaboration, mutual legal assistance agreements, and exploring new areas of cooperation.

“We are working seriously on police reform, but such progress cannot be achieved overnight. Our goal is to build a people-friendly police force through phased and sustained efforts,” he said.

He acknowledged that the interim government had faced challenges in controlling mob violence, but added that such incidents have significantly decreased since the current elected government took office, with only a few isolated cases remaining.

He reiterated that the government has zero tolerance for mob violence while ensuring democratic space for political parties to hold meetings without disrupting public life.

On the reform of the Rapid Action Battalion, the minister stressed the need to retain an elite force within the state structure. He said the unit would continue to operate effectively following legal review, including the possibility of renaming, while utilising its existing manpower and logistics.

Ambassador Séré-Charlet expressed France’s interest in strengthening bilateral relations with Bangladesh and expanding cooperation into new sectors. He noted that France has already initiated support for the capacity development of the Criminal Investigation Department’s forensic laboratory.

During the meeting, the home minister also sought French technical assistance to strengthen the capabilities of the Anti-Riot Troop. He directed the Anti-Terrorism Unit and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police to coordinate with the French Embassy and take the necessary steps forward.

He also informed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the French Embassy’s request to meet senior officials, including the Inspector General of Police and the Director Generals of Border Guard Bangladesh, Coast Guard, and Ansar, and has issued the necessary communication.

Others present at the meeting included Rebeka Khan, Joint Secretary of the Political-1 Branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Christel Fontaine, Deputy Homeland Security Attaché at the French Embassy, and Christian Bec, Political Counselor.