Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali said the police aspire to serve as a trusted institution for the public rather than an instrument of oppression, adding that citizen satisfaction is the ultimate measure of effective policing.
“We want to be the people’s police, not oppressors. If ordinary citizens are satisfied with our service and behaviour, that is the strongest indication that we are fulfilling our responsibilities properly,” he said while speaking at a views exchange meeting with journalists at Chattogram Press Club on Saturday.
Chattogram Press Club President Jahidul Karim Kochi chaired the event while General Secretary Golam Mawla Murad moderated it.
The Commissioner emphasized that public awareness and community participation are essential for maintaining law and social order. He noted that stronger engagement between citizens and law enforcement would enable police to perform their duties more effectively.
Referring to the force’s professional conduct following July uprising, Sowkat Ali said it was not enough for police officers to consider themselves different from the past. Rather, the public must recognize that change through the behaviour, professionalism and integrity demonstrated by officers.
The commissioner also described journalists as “the mirror of society,“ urging police officers to view media reports on police activities as opportunities for institutional improvement rather than criticism. He said such reports should be carefully analysed so that necessary corrective measures could be taken.
M.A. Malek, Editor of Dainik Azadi said journalists and police complement each other’s work in serving society. He stressed that truthful reporting and citizens’ cooperation through timely information-sharing can significantly assist law enforcement in maintaining public safety.
Press Club President Jahidul Karim Kochi said both journalists and police work tirelessly under challenging conditions to serve the public. He expressed hope that stronger cooperation between the two professions would help meet public expectations and contribute to building a better Bangladesh.
Osman Gani Mansur, General Secretary of the Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) Bangladesh Chapter; Press Club adviser and FF Moinuddin Kaderi Shawkat and Kazi Abul Monsur; Senior Vice-President Mustafa Naeem; Saleh Noman of the Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists’ Union; Treasurer Abul Hasnat; Social Welfare and Hospitality Secretary Hasan Mukul; Executive Members Wahid Zaman and Saiful Islam Shilpi; ATN News Chattogram Correspondent Monirul Islam Parvez; Kaler Kantho Senior Reporter Faruk Munir; and Sakalbela Bureau Chief Mohammad Ali addressed the gathering on behalf of Press Club while .CMP top officials including Additional Police Commissioner (Administration and Finance) Wahidul Haque Chowdhury, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime) Muhammad Faisal Ahmed, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Hossain Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan, Deputy Commissioner (South) Md. Habibur Rahman, and Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station Jahid Nur also spoke.
Besides, press club Sports Secretary Rubel Khan, Library Secretary Md. Shahidul Islam, Publicity and Publications Secretary Faruk Abdullah, Executive Member Rafiqul Islam Selim, Deputy Commissioner (Traffic-North) Nesar Uddin Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner (Traffic-West) Niskriti Chakma, Deputy Commissioner (Traffic-South) Mohammad Liaquat Ali Khan, Deputy Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Md. Rais Uddin, Deputy Commissioner (Traffic-Port) Kabir Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner (CSB) Md. Golam Ruhul Quddus, Deputy Commissioner (West) Md. Alamgir Hossain, Deputy Commissioner (Port) Md. Amirul Islam, Deputy Commissioner (North) Md. Hasan Mostafa Swapan, Additional Deputy Commissioners Mohammad Hasan Iqbal Chowdhury and Mohammad Badiuzzaman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) Shrima Chakma, and Assistant Commissioner (Headquarters) Aminur Rashid were present on the occasion.
