Acting on information, a team from Ashulia police rushed to a garbage dump near Jahangirnagar University on September 28 morning to recover the decomposed body of an unidentified man, aged around 30.

Three cleaners from a private firm were hired for Tk 2,100 to disinfect the body with chemicals and put it in a sack. The body was then sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College morgue by ambulance.

"We already spent Tk 9,100, including Tk 7,000 for the ambulance, before even starting the murder investigation, for which the allocation is only Tk 6,000," said Sub-Inspector Manas Bhadra of Ashulia Police Station, highlighting the financial constraints under which police personnel carry out routine duties.

"I had to pay from my own pocket. I'll now inform the officer-in-charge of the station about the expenditure, but I don't know when I'll be reimbursed," he said, adding that additional costs would follow at the morgue before the body is handed over to a charity for burial.

"All these expenses are incurred even before we begin probing the murder itself, tracing suspects and making any arrests," he said.

Several other officers said that faced with such shortfalls, they occasionally rely on complainants or victims' families if they are solvent. But in most cases, they turn to "special funds" of police stations.

When asked about "special funds", several inspectors and sub-inspectors said that to meet the expenses, they collect money through various channels such as donations from businesspeople and payments for releasing accused from custody promptly upon bail. In some cases, complainants are asked to bear investigation costs.

According to police, Tk 6,000 is allocated for probing a murder or dacoity case; Tk 5,000 for a case over abduction or human trafficking; Tk 4,000 for an unnatural death case; Tk 2,000 for a case over women and child repression, rape, narcotics and cybercrimes; and Tk 3,000 for a case over acid attacks, anti-terrorism, possession of arms and explosives, and money laundering.

They said the actual cost of investigations is several times higher than the allocated amounts in almost all cases.

When contacted, Md Akram Hossain, additional inspector general (finance) at the Police Headquarters, admitted that the allocations for investigations are far below what is required.

"It takes around Tk 30,000 to recover and bury an unidentified body, whereas the allocation is only Tk 6,000. We've already analysed investigation expenses and will soon submit a proposal to the Pay Commission to raise the allocations."

In reply to a question, Akram said, "We will seek Tk 25,000 for a murder case investigation, and similar adjustments for other cases."

EXPENSES AT POLICE STATIONS

These correspondents visited a police station under the DMP's Tejgaon Division multiple times between September 27 and 29 to get a clear picture of its daily expenses.

Seeking anonymity, the OC of the station said they receive Tk 40,000 a month as "source money" from the authorities for investigations and daily operations.

"The bulk of it goes to refreshments for visitors and 131 staff in my station. Around 200 guests, including political leaders and businesspeople, visit the station every day," said the OC.

"On average, we need more than Tk 80,000 for refreshments per month."

He further said the station requires around Tk 1.5 lakh each month for supplies like paper, printer ink, bulbs, and toiletries but receives Tk 70,000 every four months. The allocation has recently been increased to 1,40,000, but after paying taxes and VAT, the station received a little over Tk 1,00,000 this month.

The government also supplies police stations with some of the items they request each month, but only a portion of the demand is met.

According to a document obtained by this newspaper, one police station sought six printer toners, five keyboards, 20 rims of A4 paper, 20 rolls of toilet tissue, 15 cans of mosquito aerosol, 10 bottles of Savlon, and 10 packs of mosquito coils, among other items.

In response, it received three printer toners, no keyboards, seven rims of A4 paper, eight rolls of toilet tissue, three mosquito aerosols, two bottles of Savlon, and three packs of mosquito coils.

Besides, cleaners are hired from private firms, and technicians need to be called in when fans or other electrical items break down.

"We have to pay a cook Tk 15,000 and a cleaner Tk 10,000 per month. An electrician or mechanic charges around Tk 600 per visit," said the OC.

Food allowances for detainees are capped at Tk 30 per meal whereas a proper meal now costs around Tk 80, said the OC.

In many cases, the police station has to pay for meals so that prisoners don't starve if their families fail to provide support.

Asked how the station manages to pay for all these, the OC said the money comes from a special fund, not from any formal channel.

"The high-ups are aware of the situation… How can we meet people's expectations when we have to rely on donations to meet our expenses?" said the officer.

At the station, four of the eight vehicles malfunction frequently while the remaining ones are old and unable to keep pace with fast-moving cars or motorbikes, the OC said.

"A police station must operate round the clock to carry out patrols and deal with all sorts of cases. But the funds fall far short of what is needed to sustain this workload."

"The allocation of 15 litres of oil for each patrol vehicle per day is grossly inadequate. Moreover, we sometimes have to hire cars to conduct operations and pay for them from the same allocation," the OC said.

Officers of several other stations in the capital said they have no other choice but to depend on donations from local influential people to meet shortfalls.

"If there were adequate allocations, police would not need to rely on such donations, which undermine the force's independence and damages its image," said an inspector.

"True reform of the force will remain elusive unless these shortfalls are addressed."

Contacted, Additional IG Akram Hossain said, "We are preparing a budget proposal to be sent to the home ministry, seeking to increase funds for police stations."

The Daily Star contacted Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on September 29 and asked him whether the government has any plan to increase budgets for police stations. He declined to comment.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REFORM

In its report submitted to the chief adviser in mid-January, the Police Reform Commission recommended several measures that will help police stations overcome financial and operational challenges.

It suggested increasing operational allowances for police stations, establishing an audit and inspection wing to oversee procurement, and allocating funds directly to superintendents of police to streamline expenses.

The proposals also include increasing funds for investigations, allocating budgets for purchase and repair of furniture in police stations, and raising budgets for vehicles and fuel.

Tawohidul Haque, associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research of Dhaka University, said, "How can we expect police to work for public welfare if they have to depend on unofficial or unlawful channels to meet the costs of routine work?

"It is imperative to carry out reforms that ensure adequate funding for investigation and operational needs at police stations," he added.