UNB, Dhaka :The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), a specialized investigation unit of Bangladesh Police, suffers from lack of rules, said an official.PBI, which set up its temporary office at DMP control room on December 22 in 2012, was launched to work for changing public perception of police through modern, scientific and quality investigation maximizing the use of modern scientific tools.A senior officer of PBI told UNB that the PBI seeks to ensure justice through excellence in criminal investigation.He spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to make public comments.PBI, he said, also wants to ensure intelligence-led techno-based and timely investigation providing advance training for capacity enhancement of the investigation.He said, PBI’s activity is being hampered for absence of PBI rules.Other barriers included inadequate manpower, including civil staff, lack of own experts as well as training facilities and approval of deployment policy, he said.Besides, it couldn’t start its shadow activities in all the 70 units, including 64 districts and six metropolitan units, due to lack of adequate manpower and setting up own infrastructure and lab facilities, the officer said requesting anonymity. He further said, it will need minimum 20-22 officers (Superintendent of police to downwards ASI) to start a unit. Comparing it, PBI needs minimum 1400 officers but it was preliminary sanctioned 970.On the other hand, PBI has been facing challenges like frequent transfer of posted trained personnel as well as deputation of PBI officers, he added.PBI has been formed following the concepts of American Federal Bureau of Investigation and Indian Central Bureau of Investigation. Its formation procedure started in January 2011 with a view to reduce the pressure on police working in the police stations as well other investigating agencies.Presently, a sub-inspector (SI) of police has to usually deals with 15 cases on an average for investigation alongside his regular duties in a police station Nearly 1.5 lakh people are serving the police force, but it has hardly 30,000 investigators.Other objectives of the Bureau included unrelenting investigation, enhancing monitoring and coordination with prosecution, updating the status of cases to the victims and ensuring better service by providing need based training to the investigators.PBI sources said, it will start its offices in ten districts-Dhaka, Gazipur, Faridpur, Chittagong, Comilla, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barisal, and Sylhet districts under eastern and western regions in first phase, while Gaibandha, Bogra, Moulovibazar, Jessore, Naryangonj, Patuakhali, Norsingdi, Tangail, Gopalgonj and Cox’s Bazar in second phases and the remaining districts will start their operation in other phases. Another officer said, the PBI has already started its shadow investigation in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayangonj districts. When asked what cases will be investigated by PBI, he said it will investigate proposed schedule cases including murder, dacoity and dacoity with murder, rape and gang rape, kidnapping and ransom, smuggling and black marketing, cyber crime, human trafficking, arms cases, drug trafficking and cases of explosives.Contacted deputy inspector general (current-charge) of PBI Shahbuddin Qureshi said draft of proposed PBI rules is now under consideration for cabinet division. After it gets approval, the draft will be sent to Law Ministry for vetting through Home Ministry.He hoped the PBI will start its formal operational activities very soon.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 21, 2013 had formally announced that the PBI would start functioning soon.
