The Remarkable Journey of Hasib Aziz

The Pledge to Build a People’s Police: From Chattogram to Dhaka—

Md. Kamal Uddin    |    ০৮:২৭ পিএম, ২০২৫-০৯-২১

Time never stands still. How swiftly a single year passes, as though in the blink of an eye. On this very day last year, I wrote about a police officer—Hasib Aziz, then newly appointed Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police. Today, Facebook reminded me of that piece, almost like a memory resurfacing from the depths of time. To my own surprise, I had nearly forgotten the date. Yet revisiting those words felt like standing upon a bridge that connects past and present.
The man I wrote about a year ago—who then pledged to build a police force truly for the people—now holds a higher and more honorable responsibility. He has been promoted to Additional Inspector General of Police (Addl. IGP). I firmly believe that with his honesty, integrity, and capability, one day he will ascend to the highest position in the police service—the Inspector General of Police (IGP). For he is not just an administrator but a guide, not just a public servant but a beacon of light.
First Meeting and First Impressions
Last year, when I paid him a courtesy call, I had the opportunity to engage in a long, personal conversation. From that very moment, I sensed that he was different. Over my lifetime, I have known many police officials closely, but never had I encountered a Commissioner so humble, so warm, and so devoid of arrogance. He welcomed me with an open heart.
That day, he uttered words that still echo in my ears:
“Mr. Kamal, the police shall no longer be a force of power, but a force of the people. We will stand against every injustice in society. Restoring public trust will be our foremost responsibility.”
This was not a casual statement—it was a vow, a manifesto of principle, which he has since worked to prove through action.
Respect for Journalism
He also spoke to me about journalism and my own writings. He said with clarity and conviction:
“Without courageous journalism, truth cannot triumph. Your articles have identified our shortcomings and negligence. You must continue this work.”
When a high-ranking official acknowledges the value of journalism in such terms, it reveals his genuine commitment to stand beside the people. He understood that journalists may sometimes pose uncomfortable questions, but he also knew that truth, when hidden, weakens an institution.
That day, I presented him with my book Adamya Monowar along with copies of Dainik Vorer Awaaj and The Daily Banner. He received them with deep sincerity and remarked:
“There is no alternative to constructive change without the right vision and dedicated effort.”
Uncompromising Stance Against Corruption
Perhaps the most striking part of our conversation was his firm stance on corruption. He declared with unwavering resolve:
“We shall never hesitate to take action against any police officer involved in bribery, corruption, or misconduct.”
Looking back after a year, I can say with certainty—his words were not mere rhetoric. He initiated internal reforms and took steps against dishonest officers, bringing them under accountability. As a result, in Chattogram Metropolitan Police, the image of the force began to improve, and public confidence started to return, however gradually.
Breaking Down the Wall of Fear
Ordinary citizens often feel fear at the very mention of the police. But Hasib Aziz sought to dismantle that wall of fear. In his office, people found easier access; in the field, he taught officers to treat citizens not as enemies, but as friends.
Through his initiatives for service-oriented policing, he demonstrated clearly that when integrity becomes the guiding force, an entire institution can be steered in the right direction.
A Year of Achievements
I documented in my own work how he tried to implement people-centric policing in reality—fighting corruption, ensuring transparency, and nurturing respect for citizens. In every field, he set examples.
Today, he stands as Additional IGP. This is not just a promotion—it is recognition. Within only a year, he has proven that with a blend of competence and integrity, the police can indeed transform into a force of the people. And yet, his journey has only begun.
I believe that one day, he will serve as the nation’s highest-ranking police officer, the Inspector General of Police. For the IGP’s role requires more than administrative skill—it demands moral conviction and the ability to rebuild public trust. And I have seen both qualities vividly in Hasib Aziz.
A Beacon of Leadership
In truth, Hasib Aziz is not just a police officer—he is a beacon. Through leaders like him, the police force can truly transform into a people’s institution. He believes that the strength of the police does not lie in displays of power, but in the love and trust of the people.
Final Thoughts
Within the span of one year, his journey has reignited my own inspiration. I feel both joy and pride in witnessing his progress. And I pray that in this ongoing journey of social transformation, he achieves even greater success—that the people of Bangladesh may once again place the police within their circle of trust.
For when the police are friends of the people, the foundation of the state becomes strong. And upon that very path of strength walks Hasib Aziz—carrying his vision from the heart of Chattogram to the center of Dhaka.