Bangladesh: Strengthening community policing to counter violent extremism and promote peace and security

Dhaka, Bangladesh/24 February 2025: Community and beat policing serve as powerful tools for building peace and ensuring stability. Rooted in a people-centered approach, this method fosters trust between law enforcement and communities, allowing for proactive crime prevention. However, in Bangladesh, the role of community policing in countering violent extremism remains an evolving approach—one that demands closer integration between local policing efforts and national counterterrorism strategies.

Recognizing this need, UNODC has been working closely with the Bangladesh Police to strengthen law enforcement capacities in addressing security threats through research, training, and policy development. The aim is to empower officers and communities to play a collaborative role in preventing radicalization and violent extremism.

Last year, Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU), Bangladesh Police and UNODC conducted a technical needs assessment (TNA) that identified key challenges in community policing efforts. The findings emphasized the need for a national strategy review on community policing and the development of a communications strategy to improve coordination between local police and counterterrorism units.

 

In this context, 50 senior and mid-ranking police officials exchanged insights at an inception meeting convened by UNODC and ATU to address the gaps, refine the strategies and enhance coordination. Officers engaged directly with counterterrorism experts and policymakers to share priority areas and propose solutions.

The inception meeting served as a critical platform to refine the national strategy on community policing and develop a communications strategy for community and beat policing entities. Participants engaged in discussions to ensure that community policing efforts align with national counterterrorism goals, emphasizing the need for structured collaboration and streamlined communication. Integrating grassroots policing efforts with national security frameworks stands to create a more coordinated and preventive approach to tackling emerging threats.

Officials also identified key action points to strengthen coordination mechanisms between community and beat policing entities and the Anti-Terrorism Unit at national, divisional, and local levels. These included ways to enhance information sharing, specialized training, and establishing clear protocols for cooperation.

Mr. Khondoker Rafiqul Islam, PPM, Additional Inspector General of Police and Chief, ATU, Bangladesh Police, Ms. Erin Estey, Senior Project Manager (Asia), Counter Terrorism Capacity Building Program (ICC), Global Affairs Canada, Mr. Marcus Davies, Political Counselor, High Commission of Canada in Bangladesh and Mr. Shah Mohammad Naheeaan, National Programme Coordinator, UNODC Bangladesh joined senior police officials in the meeting.

With continued support from Global Affairs Canada and other partners, Bangladesh is taking significant steps towards a more inclusive, community-driven approach to countering violent extremism.

This activity contributed to SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Supported by the Global Affairs Canada)