Political Party-Police Relationship in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Analysis

The politicization of the police has become an increasingly pressing issue in Bangladesh, especially in the aftermath of the July Uprising, which highlighted the growing entanglement between law enforcement and political interests. The study uses a qualitative research method to explore the dynamics of this relationship between political parties and the police force in Bangladesh. For primary data collection, this study conducted 25 in-depth semi-structured interviews with the respondents. The findings suggest that successive governments in Bangladesh have systematically manipulated the police force to serve partisan interests, transforming what should be a neutral and professional institution into a politically influenced apparatus. This manipulation has often involved directing law enforcement agencies to target political opponents, disrupt opposition activities, suppress dissent, and protect ruling party affiliates from legal consequences. Instead of functioning as an impartial body dedicated to upholding the law and protecting citizens’ rights, the police have frequently been used as a strategic tool to maintain political dominance. The findings of this study have important practical implications for policymakers, particularly in advancing comprehensive police reform aimed at depoliticizing the force, which includes establishing independent oversight bodies, ensuring merit-based recruitment and promotions, and strengthening internal accountability mechanisms.