Women Police Award introduced

The police department has launched the Women Police Award for the first time in the country to recognise exemplary achievement of female police officers.

AKM Shahidul Haque, inspector general of police, introduced the award, and this year the accolade will go to 33 policewomen in six categories. The prize includes a crest, a certificate and a cash reward of Tk 10,000.

The six categories are Bangladesh Police Women Leadership Award, Excellence in Action, Medal of Courage, Community Service, Peace-keeping Mission Special Honour Award and Entrepreneur Women Organiser of the Year Award.

Mili Biswas, deputy inspector general of police headquarters and president of Bangladesh Women Police Network, made the announcement of the award at a press conference in her office yesterday.

The names of the awardees, however, are yet to be released.

The awards will be presented at a programme at Bashundhara Convention Centre on March 31. House Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury is expected to attend the event as the chief guest, while the home minister and the state minister for women and children affairs are the special guests.

There are a total of 8,824 female police officers in the country, according to official statistics. 

The recruitment of female officers in the police department began in 1974, and six female constables were appointed to the Detective Branch in that year. Female officers were appointed to other sections later on.

“At present, female officers hold various positions in the force, from additional inspector general to constable,” DIG Mili told yesterday’s briefing. 

Female police officers from the country also join United Nations missions. The first group of female officers were sent to East Timor in 2000, while a full contingent was sent in 2010.

“Female officers now play a key role in the force. Elija Sarmin led a parade of officers at Sardah Police Academy while Shamsunnahar, superintendent of police of Chandpur, led the guard of honour parade during this year’s Police Week,” Mili said.

Nazrul Islam, additional deputy inspector general of police headquarters, and female officials of different wings of the force were present at the briefing among others.