After a prolonged wait of 19 years, 330 police officers in Bangladesh are finally set to regain their government positions. The appointments, originally nullified in 2007 amid allegations of political influence and ‘partisan considerations’, have now been reinstated by the government. This development was formally announced on Monday, 16 March, through a notification issued by Police Branch-2 of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to the notification, the original recruitment process in 2006 had selected 123 candidates for the position of Sergeant and 207 for the post of Sub-Inspector (Unarmed). However, in 2007, these appointments were controversially cancelled, leaving the selected officers in a prolonged state of uncertainty. The latest government directive reverses this earlier decision, officially confirming their employment.
The notification also clarifies the conditions under which these officers will join the police force. Importantly, their seniority will be calculated from the date they would have originally commenced duty in 2007. Nevertheless, the government has specified that no retroactive financial benefits or salary adjustments will be provided for the intervening period.
Under the new arrangements, officers will undergo a basic training period of six months, followed by a maximum probation period of two years. Additionally, grading lists for each batch will be prepared based on the results of written and oral examinations, in accordance with the regulations set by the Ministry of Public Administration. The Police Commissioner has been tasked with implementing these directives.
The following table summarises the reinstated appointments:
| Rank | Selected in 2006 | Cancelled in 2007 | Returning to Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant | 123 | 2007 | 123 |
| Sub-Inspector (Unarmed) | 207 | 2007 | 207 |
| Total | 330 | — | 330 |
Experts have hailed the decision as more than a compensatory measure. It is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring fairness and integrity within the Bangladesh Police recruitment system. Officers who join under the reinstated appointments will have their seniority automatically recognised, addressing a longstanding administrative bottleneck that has persisted for nearly two decades.
This historic resolution underscores the government’s commitment to rectifying past injustices in public service recruitment and restoring confidence among law enforcement personnel who were left in professional limbo for almost 20 years.