Statement of the problem:
The
Police Reform Program (PRP) is a long-term and comprehensive capacity building
initiative to improve human security in Bangladesh. PRP supports the transition
from a colonial style police force to democratic policing by strengthening the
ability of the Bangladesh Police (BP) to contribute to a safer and more secure
environment based on respect for the rule of law, human rights and equitable
access to justice. The Program has a specific focus on the poor and
disadvantaged, women and children, and delivering tangible results at the Thana
(Police Station) level. PRP also recognizes the potential contribution that the
police can make to national security and social and economic growth. The
objective of PRP is to develop a safer and more secure environment based on
respect for human rights and equitable access to justice through policing which
is more responsive to the needs of poor and vulnerable people. The Police reforms
Program (PRP) provide practical support to the Bangladesh Police as the
institution transforms itself into a modern professional police service.
Police Reform Programme:
In 2003, a joint mission comprising of representatives
from the Govt. of Bangladesh and UNDP undertook a comprehensive “Needs
Assessment Report on Strengthening Bangladesh Police”. This
report provided the foundation for the Police Reform Programme (PRP) which was
conceived as a ten years phased initiative to build the capacity of Bangladesh
Police to deliver efficient, effective rule of law to the people of Bangladesh.
The overarching development goal was to create a conducive environment for the
poverty reduction through improved human security particularly for
disadvantaged groups including poor, woman and children.
The Project document was for phase-I was signed in
January 2005. PRP gained significant momentum when the Caretaker Government
assumed office in early 2007 recognizing the need for rapid improvement of law
and order to meet community expectations and improve national stability.
Phase-I lasted four and a half years and ended on 30 September 2009. PRP
received development partner support from UNDP, DFID and The European
Commission.
In
late 2008, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Bangladesh Police, and external
consultants contracted by UNDP and DFID undertook an evaluation / project
revision mission to review achievements and formulate phase II of the
programme. The Rapid Evaluation Report recommended that development partner
support PRP should be extended and increased for a further five to six years. The
Project Document for Phase-II was submitted to MoHA and the Economic Division
in July 2009. According to the Rapid Evaluation Report for phase I, Bangladesh
Police are strengthening relationship with NGO service providers and civil
society. Under the PRP the police have established the first Victim Support
Center (VSC) for woman and children. This center provides improved services for
victim of crime.
Reforming Bangladesh Police into a modern, service
oriented organization Police Reform Programme is an important step. To build an efficient and effective police
force as an integral part of the broader justice sector and as a key
contributor to a safer and more secure environment based on respect for human
rights and equitable access to justice and observance of the rule of law .
Statement of the Problem
is given below:
1)
A Lot of problems exist with law and
order, corruption, rule of law and access to justice in Bangladesh, and these
issues adversely impact on the poor and vulnerable especially women and young
people;
2)
The problems are so profound that they have serious implication for the social
and economic well being of Bangladesh; and,
3)
The Police alone can not solve these problems and need to work in close
collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Bangladesh,
relevant Ministries and other agencies in the broader criminal justice sector,
civil society and NGO and media and development partners and the
community.
As
a part of PRP victims of crime are given shelter and counseling thorough Victim
Support Center under model Thana. In this study we want to asses what kinds of
service are receive by victims of crime and lack of awareness of beneficiaries
to getting the service.
Objective
of the study:
The
main objective of this research is to evaluate the expectation on service
delivery from Victim Support Center under Police Reform Program of Bangladesh. The
research will consider only the issues related to victim support under the
Police Reform Programme in Kotowali Model Thana at Rangamati Hill District.
The
specific objectives of this study are:
i)
To know about the activities of Victim Support Center (VSC) under PRP.
ii)
To know and examine the public expectation on the services deliberate
by VSC.
iii)
To examine the efficiency and effectiveness of VSC activities;
iv)
To find out the problems of this VSC in rendering support to victims.
This
study will try to contribute to the implementation of this project based on the
findings.
Literature
Review:
The
following document has been reviewed-
·
Data Management Aid, Police Reform Program: Public Attitude Follow up
survey, Data management Aid, 2009
Studying
above stated Survey we find out that the PRP Follow-up survey recognized that
police were now much more likely to refer victims of crime to legal aid or
counseling than previously.”
·
Department for International Development, Police Reform Program, Annual
Review, DIFD, 2008
The
report concluded that PRP has achieved significant results in a relatively
short time frame. It also recommended to development partner that support to
PRP should be extended for a further.
·
Government of Bangladesh, Foreign Aided Projects Audit Directorate,
police Reform Program Audit Inspection Report 2010, GoB, 2011
·
Police Reform Programme, Annual Report, PRP, Reports for 2010-2011
The
report informed us that over 5 million people have access to better (equal,
fair and free) police services at police station level. 24 police stations 8
victim support centers.
·
Police Reform Programme,
Baseline Survey on Personal Security and Police Performance in Bangladesh,
Safer World, 2012
The
report recommendation that Focusing on the needs of marginalized and vulnerable
groups, including women and children and the poor, particularly the rural poor
, and addressing factors that inhabit equal access to justice.
·
6) Police Reform Programme, PRP II Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy
Framework, PRP, (draft), 2011
Methodology
of the study:
A
simple research methodology will be followed in this study, which will basically
be based on qualitative research. Both primary and secondary data will be
collected for the purpose of this study. For the collection of primary data the
study will follow interview as a technique with semi-structured questionnaire.
For the collection of secondary data different research reports, articles and
books will be reviewed thoroughly. In the interviews different stakeholders
that will include GoB officials, PRP II staff, donors and implementing
partners and beneficiaries.
Reference:
1)
Nasrin Shaheen
and Ijaz Ahned, Hand Book of M.S/ M. Phil and Ph.D Research Proposal/
Synopsis, Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar.
2)
Dr. Rowan
Barnsley and Muhammad Nurul Huda, Mid Term Review Report: Police Reform Program
(Phrase II) Bangladesh, Police Reform Programme, Dhaka.
3)
Police Reform
Programme ,Sustainable Police Reform in Bangladesh: From Global Experience to
Local Strategies, Conference Report 2011, UNDP
4)
Data Management Aid, Police Reform Program: Public Attitude Follow up
survey, Data management Aid, 2009
Police
Reform Programme, Baseline Survey on Personal Security and Police Performance
in Bangladesh, Safer World, 2012