The Bangladesh police force is set to undergo a major promotion exercise by mid-November aimed at addressing a long-standing backlog and improving morale within the service. Approximately 492 officers across various ranks, from inspectors to deputy inspector generals (DIGs), are expected to be promoted as part of the first large-scale advancement under the current administration.
Police Headquarters (PHQ) officials outlined that this process will cover officers from several Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) batches. The Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) has reportedly cleared about 160 inspectors and traffic inspectors for promotion to assistant superintendent of police (ASP), while around 155 ASPs from the 36th to 38th BCS batches are slated for promotion to additional superintendent of police (additional SP). Additionally, roughly 95 officers from the 28th to 30th BCS batches are expected to be promoted to superintendent of police (SP), with some officers having their previous supernumerary promotions regularised. A further 60 SPs from the 22nd and 24th batches are also due for rank regularisation to additional DIG, and around 20 senior officers from the 21st, 22nd, and 24th batches are poised for promotion to DIG. Two officers from the 17th and 18th BCS batches may be elevated to additional inspector general of police (additional IGP). However, the 20th BCS batch will not be considered for DIG promotion in this cycle.
The promotion activity follows a reshuffle in which several senior officers were compelled to retire under Section 45 of the Public Service Act, 2018, which allows retirement in the public interest after 25 years of service without specified reasons. Some retirements have been linked to allegations related to the 2018 national election, political affiliations, or actions during the July uprising. These claims remain contested, and certain officers affected maintain they had no political ties and had served professionally.
The promotions are being reviewed through two main bodies: the DPC, which evaluates advancements from ASP to SP, and the Superior Selection Board (SSB), chaired by the cabinet secretary, which considers promotions from additional DIG to additional IGP. Assessments factor in seniority, professional competence, service records, annual confidential reports, and intelligence vetting.
Concerns have been raised regarding past promotion practices. Some officials suggest that officers previously denied promotions under the Awami League government, allegedly due to perceived support for opposition parties, may now be given preference. This has reportedly caused disparities where junior or batchmates were promoted ahead of them despite comparable or superior records. Conversely, other senior officers caution against attributing all missing promotions to political bias, emphasizing the need to consider merit, service quality, and allegations of misconduct in promotion decisions.
Several officers have expressed frustration over delays, noting that some promotions were overdue by years and that comparable civil service cadres have seen swifter advancement. The current administration faces calls from within the police to ensure that the latest promotion cycle prioritises integrity and professionalism to restore confidence in the force’s hierarchy.