TDS Desk:

The police force is preparing to revert to its previous uniform following widespread dissatisfaction among officers and constables over the newly introduced attire, amid allegations of procurement irregularities involving hundreds of crores of taka.

The new “iron grey” uniform, introduced in November 2025, has faced strong resistance within the force, with many officers refusing to wear it and continuing to perform duties in the earlier blue and green uniforms.

Members across ranks have raised concerns about the colour, fabric quality and overall suitability of the new attire, prompting calls from police representative organisations to reinstate the previous uniform.

The controversy has also drawn attention to the procurement process, with questions raised over the qualifications and background of the companies awarded contracts worth more than Tk240 crore for supplying uniforms, footwear and related equipment.

The new uniform was officially introduced on 15 November 2025, initially distributed on a limited scale. However, many personnel objected to the change and refused to wear the uniform, citing dissatisfaction with its colour and fabric quality.

In response, Police Headquarters issued strict directives to enforce compliance. Despite this, resistance continued, and officers in various units have been seen wearing the older uniforms instead.

Police associations representing members of the force formally requested the government to reconsider the decision. In separate statements issued this week, Bangladesh Police Service Association and Bangladesh Police Association expressed deep concern, saying the decision had been taken hastily without adequately considering operational realities or consulting personnel.

They argued that the previous uniform, introduced after extensive review in 2003–2004, had been designed with careful consideration of climate, visibility during day and night operations, and the need to distinguish police from other forces.

The associations also said spending large sums on changing uniforms was unjustified when the funds could instead be used to modernise the force, improve logistics and provide vehicles at police stations.

The interim government had decided to change the police uniform following public criticism of police conduct during the mass uprising on 5 August 2024. The colour change was intended, in part, to signal reform and restore public confidence.

However, critics have questioned whether altering uniforms could address deeper institutional issues.

Former inspector general of police Nurul Huda said the change had been unnecessary.

“There was no need to change the uniform in this way. Changing colour cannot improve performance unless mentality changes,” he told journalists.

He also questioned the rationale behind the decision, saying those responsible should explain their reasoning.

Additional Inspector General (Administration) AKM Aowlad Hossain said the newly appointed police chief had not yet discussed the uniform issue. He added that procurement matters were handled by the Logistics and Asset Acquisition division.

Additional Inspector General Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, who oversees logistics and procurement, declined to comment.

The controversy has been further fuelled by allegations involving the companies awarded supply contracts.

Noman Group received a Tk141 crore contract to supply uniform fabric. Its managing director, Mohammad Nurul Islam, is facing a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, which alleges he accumulated nearly Tk19 crore in assets beyond his declared income. A court has also imposed a travel ban on him.

Attempts to contact Nurul Islam were unsuccessful, as his mobile phone was switched off.

However, officials from the group denied any quality issues. Bablu Mondal, deputy general manager of Talha Spinning Mills, a Noman Group subsidiary, said they had received no complaints.

Human resources and administrative officer Mohammad Babar Khan said the uniforms used specialised German “Harcorma” dye designed for durability and comfort, adding that the fabric used was heavier and more suitable for police duties.

Meanwhile, Friends Trading Corporation was awarded contracts worth Tk105.26 crore to supply boots, training footwear, canvas shoes and towels.

Its owner, Gazi Toukir Rahman Shuvo, had previously faced an arrest warrant issued by a Barishal court in 2020 in connection with a Tk55 lakh cheque fraud case. According to court documents, the cheque issued by Shuvo was dishonoured after being deposited.

Attempts to obtain comment from him were unsuccessful.

Concerns have also been raised over the company’s lack of its own tannery, shoe manufacturing facilities or sufficient experience in producing police footwear.

Police spent significant sums on uniform materials and related supplies. A total of Tk30.79 crore was used to purchase 700,000 metres of iron TC plain fabric, while Tk8.39 crore was spent on 175,000 metres of combat fabric.

For district police, 1.02 million metres of coffee-coloured TC twill fabric were procured at a cost of Tk39.37 crore. An additional Tk19.29 crore was allocated for specialised fabric. Beyond uniform cloth, Tk29.96 crore was spent on 150,000 bed sheets with double pillow covers, Tk11.97 crore on 100,000 single bed sheets, and Tk1.78 crore on shirt fabric for trainee police members.

Spending on footwear and equipment was also substantial. Police purchased 200,000 pairs of boots for Tk49.94 crore, along with 40,000 pairs of training and parade boots costing Tk9.10 crore.

Another Tk35.58 crore was spent on 180,000 pairs of canvas shoes, while women’s footwear procurement cost Tk1.69 crore. In addition, 200,000 towels were acquired at a cost of Tk8.94 crore.

Deputy Inspector General (Logistics) Sarwar Murshed Shamim said the procurement process had been conducted transparently through tender procedures.

“If anyone has specific allegations, they should submit them in writing. We will investigate,” he said.

The uniform controversy has highlighted broader tensions over police reform following the political transition.

While the interim government’s decision to change uniforms was intended to mark a break from past controversies, many within the force argue that meaningful reform requires investment in training, resources and institutional culture rather than symbolic changes.

With resistance continuing and procurement decisions under scrutiny, police authorities now appear poised to return to the previous uniform, raising questions about the effectiveness, cost and planning behind the short-lived change.