New Uniform, Old Wounds: Bangladesh Police Change Kit in Bid to Rebuild Public Trust Before 2026 Vote

Bangladesh's police have adopted a new uniform—iron-grey shirts paired with chocolate-brown trousers—in a symbolic effort to signal reform and rebuild public confidence just months before national elections scheduled for February 2026.

Background

The force was plunged into crisis after the 2024 overthrow of the government led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, an upheaval that left at least 1,400 people dead and thousands maimed, many by police gunfire. The scale of the unrest prompted widespread scrutiny of police conduct, with researchers documenting instances of brutality and dozens of prosecutions against officers.

Official Rationale and Public Skepticism

Police spokesman Sahadat Hossaine said the new uniform was recommended by policymakers who hoped that a refreshed appearance might help restore public trust. "Bangladesh Police have been facing an unprecedented crisis," he said, describing the change as a symbolic step toward rebuilding the institution.

“Whenever I see a policeman, I feel like biting his flesh off. I don't know if I'll ever get over this hatred,” said Nazma Akhtar, 48, whose 17-year-old son, Golam Nafeez, was shot, denied hospital entry and later died from blood loss during the 2024 unrest.

Many victims' families and rights groups question whether a new color scheme can address deeper problems. "How can a new uniform change their attitude?" Akhtar asked, adding that she had witnessed officers beat teachers who were demanding a pay rise.

Accountability, Reform and Continued Tension

Authorities say around 1,500 police personnel now face criminal charges—mostly for murder—with dozens detained. The former police chief pleaded guilty in the same trial as Sheikh Hasina and received a five-year sentence; officials say an estimated 55 senior officers wanted on murder charges fled to neighboring India.

Serving officers have also voiced grievances: 44 police personnel were killed during the unrest, and some complain the interim government has granted legal protections to protesters. Sultana Razia, whose husband was a police inspector beaten to death by a mob, said, "He wasn't supposed to die this way." A mid-ranking officer, speaking anonymously, added that "police are also human beings."

The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, established a police reform commission, but critics say changes have been slow. Human rights groups report ongoing allegations of excessive force, deaths in custody and rising vigilante violence in areas where public faith in the justice system has collapsed.

What to watch

With national elections approaching, the effectiveness of reforms and the conduct of security forces will be closely observed. Observers say the uniform change is unlikely on its own to heal deep mistrust: meaningful accountability, clear reform measures and transparent implementation will be needed to convince a skeptical public.