Police have restored their image from ‘petoya army’: IGP

The police, which was used as a ‘petoya army’ during the Awami League regime, has been able to ‘restore its image’, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir has claimed. He also believes that discipline has now ‘returned’ to the police. He made these remarks as the chief guest at the IG’s Badge, Shield Parade, Weapons and Drug Recovery Award Distribution Ceremony at the Rajarbagh Police Lines Ground in the capital on Tuesday (May 12) afternoon.
IGP Ali Hossain Fakir said that we have been able to restore our image from the estrangement we had with the people due to the use of the police force as a petoya army for 17 years and our discipline is returning. In his speech, he identified drugs as a ‘big challenge’ for the country’s youth and the future of the nation.
The IGP said that police members are working tirelessly to maintain law and order, ensure public safety and curb crime in the country. The awardees have further enriched the tradition of the force through their courage, dedication and professionalism. He urged all the police members to perform their respective duties with more dedication. At the ceremony, 341 police members were awarded the ‘Police Force Exemplary Good Service Badge-2025’ in recognition of their exemplary and commendable work from March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026. The IGP handed over the badges to them. On the occasion of Police Week-2026, various units were awarded for their success in recovering illegal firearms and anti-drug operations. In ‘A’ group, Chittagong District Police secured first place, Chittagong Metropolitan Police secured second place and Comilla District Police secured third place. In ‘B’ group, Cox’s Bazar District Police secured first place, Kushtia District Police secured second place and Khulna Metropolitan Police secured third place. In addition, in ‘A’ group of drug recovery, Mymensingh District Police secured first place, Comilla District Police secured second place and Chittagong District Police secured third place. In Group ‘E’, Wari Division DMP secured first place, Tejgaon Division secured second place and Motijheel Division secured third place. In the slope parade competition, the Joint Metropolitan Team secured first place, APBN team secured second place and Industrial Police team secured third place.