DMP’s Detective Branch struggles for manpower shortage

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), a critical unit for maintaining law and order in the capital, is grappling with a severe manpower shortage, hampering its ability to provide services and emboldening criminal activities, according to DB sources.

Around 40% of officer positions and 25% of the overall force remain vacant, significantly affecting operational efficiency.

The shortage is particularly acute among BCS cadre officers, where 64% of the positions – from Assistant Commissioner (AC) to Deputy Commissioner (DC) – are unfilled.

The DB, divided into eight divisions – Uttara, Gulshan, Lalbagh, Motijheel, Mirpur, Wari, Tejgaon and Ramna – requires 44 BCS officers to function effectively.

However, only 16 officers currently hold these positions, according to the DMP’s Senior Officer Directory.

Of the eight divisions, six – Lalbagh, Motijheel, Mirpur, Wari, Tejgaon and Ramna – are being managed by just three DCs, while Uttara and Gulshan divisions lack DCs entirely.

For instance, DC Abdul Awal is simultaneously heading Lalbagh and Wari divisions, supported by limited staff – Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Abdullah Al Mamun and AC Enayet Kabir at Lalbagh, and ADC Fazlul Karim and AC Tanvir Hasan at Wari.

Similarly, DC ASM Shamsur Rahman Bhuiyan oversees both Ramna and Motijheel divisions, managing operations with only a handful of subordinates.

The manpower crisis is compounded by a lack of skilled personnel to tackle modern challenges, such as cybercrime. Many DB officers, from constables to DCs, reportedly lack familiarity with the city’s geography and the evolving tactics of criminals, said a DB officer on condition of anonymity.

Officers also face the looming fear of sudden transfers, which disrupt continuity and expertise within the DB.

Several posts remain vacant in critical units, including the joint commissioner role for DB South and the Cyber and Special Crime (North) position, further straining resources.

Acknowledging the manpower shortage, DB Chief Rezaul Karim Mallick said he had formally requested additional staff from the DMP commissioner. He expressed optimism about receiving the necessary reinforcements soon.

However, Mallick refuted claims regarding officers’ lack of skills or unfamiliarity with the capital’s crime landscape, emphasising that all personnel receive adequate training to adapt to any challenges.

Experts said that despite assurances, the current resource constraints in the DB underscore the pressing need for immediate recruitment and deployment of skilled personnel. Without addressing these gaps, the DB’s ability to combat crime and ensure public safety remains at risk.