Newly appointed Barishal Range DIG Md Zulfikar Ali Haider said police have not met the expectations people hold for the force and that work is under way to improve officers’ behaviour and service quality. He made the remarks at a media exchange meeting organized by the Barishal Range DIG office at the Police Lines on Tuesday afternoon. He said allegations of harassment in accepting cases and general diaries at police stations would be treated seriously.

The DIG said initiatives would be taken to establish media wings at the Barishal Range DIG office and in each of the division’s six districts. A spokesperson would also be assigned in each area to provide journalists with necessary information promptly. He called on journalists to publish responsible and objective reports, saying stronger mutual cooperation between police and the media is needed to maintain normal law and order.

Haider also said school-based community policing would be introduced to raise students’ awareness of digital crime and help create a safer digital environment. Police will place special surveillance on robbery and banditry in the division’s six districts, he said. A special cell will be formed to prevent such crimes, with measures to be decided after analysing crime patterns and trends.