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A Visit in the Police Station: Shobujbagh Thana

Preprint · May 2019

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.29156.91526

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Sakin Tanvir
University of Dhaka
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 Abstract

This field work and study will show us the whole infrastructural situation of Shabujbagh police
station. Also from this study, we will know how they work, how they operate, facilities for police
officers and what they do when any crime happens. We're being appointed to interview in the
Shabujbagh police station. From the interview, we'll know about the whole situation of that area.
 Introduction

A police station is a place where the police officers resides to operate from there in order to
maintaining the law and order of that area.
According to Cambridge English Dictionary, Police station the local office of the police in a
town or part of a city.
There are 636 police stations in Bangladesh. In an average, there are about 30-40 officials to
operate in every police station. Their focal duty is to maintain the law and order of their
appointed area. But it's quite tough for them to maintain the law and order with few population
and insufficient equipments.
As we were appointed to visit Shabujbagh police station by our course teacher, it is our prime
objective to discuss about that particular police station, the infrastructural situation, their
expertise and facilities.
 The Infrastructural Situation of that Station

When we first went to that police station, we've experienced that the station is situated in a
narrow street. This police station is mainly situated in Moddho Bashabo, a narrow street beside
the flyover. This police station contains 4 wards.

The police station is mainly a three stored building which is very old and quite an exhausted
place. The building is quite in a dangerous and risky situation because of its old and has
infrastructural problems. Even the drainage system of the station is very poor and unhygienic.
Inside the police station, the environment is also exhausted. The walls were not cleaned. Even
the desks for the officers, seats for the victims were not cleaned and quite dirty. There are 6
rooms including the prison cell in the building. The rooms are small and exhausted. There is a
common washroom facility for all. That bathroom is unhygienic and dirty. Even there is not a
single piece of soap for washing hands.
The building of the station is a government property. That means the government had built the
building for the police station. There is also a new building which is now under construction on
the North end of the main building and it'll be ten stored. The OC, Mr. Sohrab Hossain told us
that in that new building, there will be all kinds of facilities for the development of that police
station.
 The Present Situation of the Prison

The prison cell is not so hygienic after all. When the OC showed us the prison, the room was
dirty, there were some empty bottles on the ground, the mattress on the floor was torn apart.
When the officers saw our investigative eyes then they removed the bottles and started cleaning
the cell. We saw the bathroom facility for the perpetrators is so unhygienic and dirty.

How They are Giving Services

As we talked with the OC, Md. Sohrab Hossain and his team, we've come to know that when a
victim comes to the police station for complaining, they always try to respond fast. The OC gave
us an example. As that, when a parents come to complain for missing daughter or their daughter
ran with her lover, the police try to trace them by their mobile numbers, phone calls etc. By
tracing them, they get the location of them and then be able to catch them. Then they interrogate
them whether the run away was according to both of their wills or not. If they run away willingly,
then the police release both of them and no case will be made.
We asked the OC about any unlawful mob or clash between people and their obstructions in
reaching that place. He told us that they don't face any problem in reaching the crime scene.
Because there not so much traffic jam in that area and the area was not so big. That's why it's
quite easy for them to operate. Moreover, the officials informed us that there are about 150-200
officials who work all day in that area in shifting system. They patrol the whole area all day long
by motorbikes and patrol cars. As they said, it's easy for them to maintain the law and order of
that area.

Are People Facing Problem to Receive Police

Service

We did some observation about police service. We did it by asking general people of the area.
The gave some positive review. After the observation we understood it that overall they are
satisfied slightly from police service of Sabujbag thana.
A man said that they are happy with the service of the police of Sabujbag Station. Though,
There have some offensive works of police but they are happy. We didn't find no more
information from the person. Then we asked a shopkeeper about police service and what
problems are they facing while seeking services. The main problem what they face is biasness.
Police are biased to the elite class and politically powered people. One person of Sabujbag area
complained a work of the police that the police of this station lately reach at crime scene if it is
not any serious issue. They (the police) emphasized problems of people according to economical
status. They become flexible to those criminals who have good economical backup, high status
in the society and political power.
Another problem of people of this area which they are facing is the police harass themselves
sometimes. For example, if any economically or politically weak person filed cases about
another person who have political/economical powers and the second person able to convince the
police then the police harassed the first person. Sometimes the threatened the weak person to
abolish the sue. If they don't do this then the police reversely filed wrong allegation about him.
The matter of hope to the people is that these problems are slightly decreasing day by day. And
the new OC Md. Shohrab Hosen told us that he want to remove all the problems of the area.

The Condition of The Police Station's Building

To be a better police station, it is also important that the station should have a well structured
building, where everything should be organized. A well decorated and planned building of a
station can be helpful to conduct every work fairly and shortly than a poor structured station
building.
But, after a long time observation at Sabujbag Police station, we found that, this station has no
well structured building. It has a three storied building of its own. But the surroundings are not
so pleasing. Inside the police station, we didn't find well planned reception room. There is a tiny
sitting space for the outsiders to wait. May be 6-8 person can wait at a time in the reception room.
Moreover, the decoration is messy. The room of Officer in Charge(OC) is not so spacious. The
decoration of this room is petty pleasant.
The surrounded wall of the building was so much dirty. The dirt and stoop were clinging with the
wall of police station's building. It seems like the building had cleaned for a long time.
There has a room for weapons of the police inside the police station building. The Lockup of the
police station is also tiny in size, also not well organized.
After all, Sabujbag police station doesn't have any beautiful and planned building. One important
thing that, the only building of the station also seemed at risk to us. There has no parking space
in the building. These types of building of a police station never be expected in a city.
 Front Review of The Station's Building

There was so much dirty, unplanned and messy things in front of Sabujbag police station. First of
all, the most irritating thing was seeing vehicles of police and bikes without licenses which
police have confeited were parked here and there in front of police station. Even in front of gate,
there was some motorbikes though there was a forbidden message on the gate like
. It looks very interesting to us .We were regretting for this matter thinking that the place
from where law is enforced, law is broken here!But, they have nothing to do without it also as
they have no parking space for their vehicle.
The drainage system of Sabujbag police station is noticeably bad. The cover of drain which was
almost nearly attached to the station building was opened.A bad smell was forsaking from the
drains.
The front of the police station also not clean. There were so many dumps and stuffs like brick
and sand in front of the station for their under construction building.
There was no decorative things like trees, orchids or artificial things in front of the police station
which can increase the beauty. Overall, the front area was looking weird. It was not seem like
any public or government institution.
 Timing to File GD and Cases

We had also asked to the OC Md.Sohrab Hosen about the GD and cases that how many times
took to filed a case or GD generally. He told us that, he takes GD and cases as soon as possible.
Generally if he is available at the police station he takes GD instantly. In this police station no
charges have taken for filing GD. About the cases he said that they file cases as soon as possible
but there have some exception in some cases.
In the cases of theft, serious conflict and defamation cases they first they investigate about the
incident for because it could be wrong allegations or harassing cases. If they find authentic
source or prove that the incident was really occurred then the filed case neither they skipped it.
The cases about narcotics, Woman and Child abuse or violence get preference in this police
station, according to OC. They filed cases of narcotics and abuses instantly. They also
investigate properly and rapidly about these cases. OC also informed us that he got woman
violence related cases mostly though narcotics is most common in Sabujbag area.

How much Police Are Sincere to give Services

Asking OC about sincerity and heartiness of Sabujbag Thana police he replied us that they are
as much as sincere about people's problem as they can. They also behave mannerly with the
general people. They try to present at crime scene as soon as possible. He believed that general
people are the main component of a country. They are really deserve the most fair service from
the police. Police should be friendly. Md. Sohrab Hosen expressed about a desire to us. It was
that he want to remove the concept form the mind of people that police are very brutal and cruel
to people and police are dishonest. He also want to remove all the negativity about police by his
and their work.
But we found some information from general people which is reverse from OC's Speech. We had
taken some information from the residents of sabujbag area. They informed us that they are not
satisfied about Sabujbag's police behavior. Police behave rudely with them. From a shopkeeper,
we came to know some bad information about police. He inform us that police of Sabujbag
police station are politically biased, the are flexible to those criminals who have political backup
or have elite power. He also said that police of this thana take bribery. They took
money(extortion) from the retailers of market who sell small things like fish, food, vegetables etc
and sit at footpath in their temporary shop. I the retailer refused to give things, police nob their
things and distributes these things among them (police). He said, Police also give permission to
the business of drug taking money from drug dealers. Because of these illegal works, people of
Sabujbag are not satisfied to the police.
 The Infrastructural problem of the Thana

The Sabujbagh police station is under Motijheel department of DMP and it is situated at 203,
central Basabu, Sabujbagh, Dhaka.

The overall infrastructure of sabujbagh police station is bad as we know from observations and
from the market where we visited for survey about this police station.

To ensure proper law and order at sabujbagh, the police should have at least 10 police officer.
But at present there is just a little more than half. In addition, This police station is running on
the rented house. Due to insufficient infrastructure and manpower and technical limitations, it is
not possible for the police stations to provide adequate services. In this reality, Government
should set up proper and extensive building and more officer to provide a proper treatment to
people.

There are many infrastructure problems of that station. Of them, the road of Thana is very
narrow
and It is impossible to enter at Thana along with two vehicles. The spaces are totally
smalls. Actually, there are no parking system and besides, there are absolutely no place for
keeping seized car or other things.

Besides, there are many unrepaired roads beside the station that become very hazardous in
rainy seasons.In front of the police station,there is a place which is actually used by people as
their road and that is not for this Station and when all vehicles and seizure car are amalgamated
on this tiny place, there may create problems and it looks like such a market or any car market
as well as there have no place of walking people.

Moreover, There are no crime chart at this station listed as per year crime statistics such as
murder rate, rape rate etc.

There are no housing managements at this station and for that,all of the officer and other

activists of the station reside different flat with own cost and that make problems them in
reaching at Station lately.

It is also a problem that there is risk of that thana's building that it is feasible that this building is
not built with well structured and seemingly it looks like very old building.

Inadequate roads, drainage systems, lack of waste managements are obsessed within
shabujbagh police station.

There are also seen many dust in front of this station and this is why there is no dustbin around
the station and that's why all dust throw into a narrow and old trough which is located in front of
station.

Totally, the place where this station is located are inappropriate for a Police Station. This station
is located surrounding many dense building which looks like a building of any populated area.
Besides, the police station is situated on deep of the Thana where in reaching for any case must
make people humdrum condition.

So, in conclusion, it is recommended that the overall infrastructure of Shabujbagh Thana must
need to change as soon as possible.

Vehicles Conditions of Shabujbagh Police Station

As per we know, there are reasonably the sufficient vehicles at shabujbagh police station. There
are about 8 vehicles including car, motorcycle and among them,4 or 6 vehicles are busy in
patrolling around the different wards of this station. According to Officer-in charge of that
Thana, there are no problems of vehicles system and all of their vehicles are very active and
speedy to reach the crime scene and other areas. He also stated that as the station is situated at
centre of town, there are less traffic and though if there have chances of traffic, there is existed
a flyover across the station which is very supportive to reach crime scenes abruptly. All vehicles
are modern, expensive and new.

But It is crucial to say that the place of keeping all vehicles after patrolling are very narrow that
is not a feature of an ideal police station.

In conclusion, The overall vehicles system of Shabujbagh police station are actually fantastic. It
will be more fantastic if there have a sufficient place for keeping all the vehicles sequence.
After all, There are sufficient vehicles at this police station which is enough for strong
communication and patrolling. Across the wards under this station, there is seen about 4 or 6
vehicles in patrolling and others remain nearest the station that is used also in other works of
police such as sudden news of any crime or any work that may come abruptly expressly or
impliedly. So,It is must to say that The Shabujbagh Police Station has sufficient vehicles that is
needed of being an ideal police station.
 Transport System of Sobujbag Thana

The transport facilities of Bangladesh police is increasing day by day .In early days there was
miserable condition of police transport system. there was not enough cars for police to response
at the call of people. So the response rate of police to reach at the crime scene becomes low. But
now police transport system has been improved .There are 8 cars in sobujbag thana. According
to their words recently they got some new cars. Most of their cars are of “Mitsubishi” .Though
there was enough car but there was no parking system was there .The cars has been kept in front
of thana in road. When been asked why the kept cars there they said they are no facilitate with
parking system till then when the new building will be set up there may have space for car
parking .But still they were not sure about it .Again the maintenance of transport is poor.
According to Bangladesh police general Dr Mohammud Javed Patowari, they are trying to
introduce digital parking system in Bangladesh. There was no initiative to make the parking
system digital in sobujbug thana.

The Food and Recreation System

There was no system for food and recreation in sobujbag thana. There was no canteen inside
thana. For snacks and food they have to go outside thana. its kills their time and they also have to
eat unhealthy food. Again the outside foods are also expensive .There is no system for taking rest
in thana. When they get sick they have nothing to do but leave for home or medical. As there is
no recreation policy there work quality get lessen. According to officer in charge in their new
building which is under construction will be facilitated with these things.

Washroom facilities of Shabujbag Thana

There was only one wash room for the police in that thana. But it was not clean also .There was no soap
or detergent in that washroom. The washroom was filthy. Even anyone passes through the washroom they
will get bad smell of it. It seems like it has not been cleaned for weeks. Again one washroom is not
enough for all the officers in that thana often there is crowed for the washroom . they have to suffer a lot
due to dirt washroom. One of officers said that sometimes he feels vomiting use that dirty washroom.
There was no initiative to keep that clean. It creates health hazards. They suffers a lot of health issue for
the dirty washroom. Besides there was no separate washroom for male and female. All officers weather
male or female have to use the same bathroom. There is no alternatives. So the female officers have to
face a lot of difficulties sharing the same bathroom with male officers. There are no privacy for them.
when they go through menstrual cycle its became more pathetic .They are not facilitate with minimum
facilities.

Car Parking System of the Thana

Sobujbag Thana is not facilitated with car parking system yet. There is no parking lot in sobujbag Thana.
They have to keep there cars and vans in the front road of Thana building. It blocks the roads and also
make it difficult for them to keep 8 cars and vans in front of thana. When been asked why the kept cars
there they said they are no facilitate with parking system till then when the new building will be set up
there may have space for car parking .But still they were not sure about. According to Bangladesh police
general Dr Mohammud Javed Patowari, they are trying to introduce digital parking system in
Bangladesh. There was no initiative to make the parking system digital in sobujbug Thana. They officers
are hopeful that as there will be new building so the parking system will be digital according to the word
of police general.
 Fire Extinguishing System

Fire extinguishing method is one of the most important matters of concern. It falls under security
system of an institution. But it is a matter of sorrow that in our observed police station
(Sabujbagh Police station), there is no management of fire extinguishing method. The authority
of Police department didn’t provide this very crucial management in such a vital part of law
enforcement agency. It proves that the police authority or the government doesn’t emphasis
about the security of police force as it should do or they are reluctant to supply the facility of
security like fire availability extinguishing service. Police force is the core element or part of law
enforcement system for any country. Policemen should be given as much facilities as they need.
But in Bangladesh, they are deprived of these benefits which actually they should have.
So, Police department should be more conscious about this fire extinguishing system. Every
institution should have fire extinguisher because it has amazing benefits.

What is fire extinguishing?

Fire extinguishing systems are a common expression for systems using different Medias to
suppress- or extinguish fires in buildings. The Medias can be water, foam, gas or chemicals.
The basic methods for extinguishing a fire are to suffocate it by ensuring that it cannot have
access to oxygen, to cool it with a liquid such as water which reduces the heat or finally to
remove the fuel or oxygen source, effectively removing one of the three elements of fire.

Importance of fire extinguisher

Response to any fire scenario, regardless of the form of the response, should have these three
basic priorities listed by importance:

1. Life Safety and Personal Protection.

The most important thing to accomplish in any fire incident is to protect life and avoid injury.
Property, product, processes and material can be replaced and rebuilt. Human life and health is
most precious and cannot be replaced. If nothing else is accomplished in a fire incident other
than the complete safety of all persons involved, then the first and the most important goal in a
response to fire has been accomplished.

2. Incident Stabilization.
Once the first priority has been accomplished, the second goal is to stabilize the incident – keep
it from growing or getting worse. By stabilizing the incident and not allowing it to change, grow
in intensity or grow in size, the incident cannot threaten more lives and property, even if the area
or property involved becomes a total loss.

3. Property conservation.
Only after item 1 and item 2 have been established, the focus may turn to extinguishing the fire
quickly with the least amount of damage to the property involved. The role of portable
extinguishers and pre-engineered systems in response to a fire incident has the same priorities
listed above. Together with a fire plan, alarm notification, evacuation, quick and safe response,
portable extinguishers and pre-engineered systems may be key factors in the outcome of any fire
incident.
 Accommodation System for The Lady Officers

Accommodation is one of those facilities that should be provided to police officers who work 18
hours or more in securing both people life and property. But unfortunately, still there is not
enough housing system for police officers to rest on after all of their 18 hours or more hard
works. As a result, they have to lead miserable life. Sometimes, also they have to go on flooring
in corridor as there is not enough space to sleep. Shabujbagh Thana is one of those thanas of
Bangladesh in which police officers are deprive of their right of housing system. They do not
have any housing system to rest on. Here also includes female officers. They have to live in rent
houses. But OC of Sobujbagh Thana is quite hopeful that very soon they in which female
officers also included will be having an accommodation system for their better life in the north
side of their present location of Thana.

Interview on The Crime Trends

We had taken an interview of OC Md. Shohrab Hosen to know about the crime trend of
Sabujbag Thana. He informed us that the area has the most tendency of the crime Narcotics. So
many drug dwellers are living and conducting their drug business. They also use children to
conduct their business. After doing this unlawful work for a long time, a child grown as a
criminal also. These types of drugs and its business makes them potential criminal at a time.
After these the children also does different crimes.
OC informed us that there are fewer cases of narcotics at present than the past. 70-80% narcotics
cases have decreased than the past. OC is hopeful that he will remove all the narcotics crime
from the area and will made a fair place for live.
 Our Observation and Analysis

So, As police must say their positive site and they are rarely intended to say anything that against
them. we all together group mate by dividing some group visited market, shop and other place
nearest police station from where we got some news which is totally reverse with what the OC
said us.

“We are tortured by police of this station and they collect subscriptions from us and if we aren't
intended to give subscriptions, they show various type of appalling of us.” Said a shopkeeper.

Again, we asked a constable who that time was off duty who joined at this station just few
months ago as well as who said the positive site of that station which he saw in just few month.

With my last observation about this police station is that everything has some positive or
negative things. But, There are so many lacking in this station without those lacking, this station
will not be an ideal police station.
After all, All of the lacking should be filled up and the torture and collecting subscriptions from
the nearest market or place should be abolished.

Conclusion

In the end, we can tell that this field work has helped us to understand our criminal justice
system as well as the investigation procedure and the real situation of the area. From Shabujbagh
police station, we have known about the Infrastructural situation and problems of a police station,
case filing procedure and the main problems of that particular area. We believe that It'll be
helpful to take necessary steps for the development of our criminal justice and investigation
systems.
Some Moments in Shabujbagh Thana
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