Police to get full-fledged cyber security unit Home Minister
BNP-led government is planning to establish a full-fledged cyber security unit within Bangladesh Police to strengthen its capacity to combat cybercrime, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said.
“We are planning to establish a cyber security unit under the leadership of an additional IGP by utilising the expertise of police personnel with engineering, IT and computer science backgrounds,” he made the remarks while presiding over the 21st meeting of the Governing Board of Bangladesh Police Staff College at its boardroom in the capital’s Mirpur on Tuesday.
Minister said digital crime investigations and forensic analysis were currently being carried out on an ad hoc basis through Police Headquarters, the DMP Cyber Unit and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
“But we feel the need for a permanent and coordinated structure,” he said.
He said steps had also been taken to provide advanced training to police personnel alongside establishing the proposed cyber security unit to strengthen their ability to deal with cybercrime.
The home minister said many members of the police force had backgrounds in engineering, IT and computer science, and their expertise would be utilised in forming the unit.
Highlighting the importance of training in improving police capabilities and morale, Ahmed said facilities for international-standard training should be expanded alongside internal training to make master-trainer-level officers more effective.
“If necessary, trainers will be brought from abroad, or modern facilities will be developed to enhance the professional skills of officers,” he said.
Such initiatives, he added, would help keep the police force prepared to tackle all forms of crime, including those committed in cyberspace.
The meeting approved the minutes of the 20th Governing Board meeting, subject to necessary amendments, and reviewed progress in implementing decisions taken earlier.
The board also discussed the MRT proposal for using Police Staff College land, allocation of funds for overseas components of mandatory training courses, and establishment of a full-fledged independent Research and Innovation Centre under the college.
Other issues included government approval of PSC regulations, making completion of mandatory training a priority condition for promotion and posting, and arranging training in Bangladesh and abroad as a member institution of INTERPA (International Association of Police Academies).
The meeting also discussed infrastructure development at the Police Staff College, introduction of Master’s courses in Forensic Science and Financial Crime and Governance, celebration of the college’s silver jubilee and “Training for the SAARC Countries”.
Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry and Vice Chairman of the Governing Board Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, BPATC Rector Sayeed Mahbub Khan and Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor A B M Obaidul Islam, among others, attended the meeting.
Later, the home minister visited the Police Staff College campus.
