Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday asked the police personnel to gain public trust and confidence by developing themselves as the ‘force of people’.

“You [police] will have to be the police of people so that people get confidence and trust in the force,” she said, the UNB reported.

The Prime Minister said this while speaking at a meeting with senior officials of the police at her office, marking the Police Week 2019.

Sheikh Hasina said with the introduction of 999 emergency helpline, people now have got a strong confidence in the police force.

She said, “Law enforcers now reach the crime spot and take action immediately responding to the phone call through 999 in the case of any offence. Now, there’s no unwillingness among people to avail themselves of the police service. So, you’ll have to work accordingly.”

Talking about a demand placed by police officials, Hasina said the police personnel have already been attached to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The government will take steps to have the representatives of the police in other agencies like Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Narcotics Control Department, she added.

In this regard, the PM said the ACC has no jurisdiction to arrest anyone but it can order arrest.

"The ACC has no jurisdiction to arrest anyone… if they want to arrest, they’ll have to tell the law enforcement agencies. They can order,” she said adding that it is not the job of the ACC to keep anyone in custody.

“Everyone has to do their designated jobs,” said the PM added.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Public Security Division Senior Secretary Mostafa Kamal Uddin also spoke on the occasion, while Inspector General of Police Mohammad Javed Patwary delivered the welcome speech.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister inaugurated the five-day Police Week-2020 with the theme ‘Mujib Borsher Angikar Police Hobe Jonatar’ at the Rajarbagh Police Lines.