Bio
Three decades in the Bangladesh Police, from Assistant Superintendent to Inspector General.
Academic Background
Dr. Benazir Ahmed holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from the Faculty of Business Studies at the University of Dhaka, in addition to MA, MBA, and LLB degrees. He is widely regarded as one of the most educated and tech-savvy officers to have led Bangladesh Police.
Personal Life
He is married to Ms. Zeeshan Mirza, a prominent social activist, and the couple have three daughters.
Entry into Bangladesh Police Service
Dr. Ahmed joined Bangladesh Police Service as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), completing basic training at the Bangladesh Police Academy, Sardah, followed by postings as Probationer ASP in Mymensingh and Circle ASP in Sunamganj district.
Inspector General of Police
After three decades rising through the ranks, Dr. Ahmed was appointed Inspector General of Police, Bangladesh — the highest position in the force — leading its policy on human rights, recruitment, training, and countrywide beat policing until his departure from the post.
- Full name
- Dr. Benazir Ahmed, BPM (Bar)
- Education
- DBA (Dhaka), MA, MBA, LLB
- Role
- Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Bangladesh
- Entered service
- 15 February 1988, as ASP
Career Timeline
Three decades of promotions and postings across the Bangladesh Police.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Bangladesh
Led Bangladesh Police as its chief; introduced the Police Internal Oversight body and a five points directive — ending physical torture and harassment, zero tolerance on narcotics, corruption-free service delivery, countrywide beat policing, and welfare of police members — along with recruitment reform.
Additional Inspector General
Served as Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (2010–2015) and later as Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
Served as DIG (Finance and Development) and DIG (Administration) at Police Headquarters.
Additional Deputy Inspector General
Served as Commandant of the Police Training Center, Tangail, after earlier serving as AIG (Planning & Recruitment) and AIG (Training and Sports) at Police Headquarters.
Superintendent of Police
Continued district service in Kishoreganj, followed by postings as Deputy Commissioner (DC-North) in Dhaka Metropolitan Police and SP (Training) at the Bangladesh Police Academy, Sardah.
Additional Superintendent of Police
Served in Kishoreganj and Narayanganj district police.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)
Joined Bangladesh Police Service; posted as Probationer ASP in Mymensingh and Circle ASP in Sunamganj district.
Notable Contributions & Achievements
Selected initiatives from across his time in Bangladesh Police.
Pirate-Free Sundarbans
Led the campaign that resulted in the unconditional surrender of 371 pirates from 38 groups, leading the Prime Minister to declare the Sundarbans pirate-free in 2018; a further 43 pirates surrendered in Cox's Bazar in October 2018.
Response to the Holey Artisan Attack
As Director General of RAB, one of the first responders to the terrorist attack at the Holey Artisan restaurant in Dhaka, establishing a temporary command center and coordinating barricade, hostage-recovery, and inter-agency logistics.
Counter-Terrorism & Anti-Drug Operations
Oversaw operations that led to over 1,073 militants arrested in the two years after the Holey Artisan attack, and campaigns against drug trafficking that resulted in an estimated $583 million in narcotics seized and 124,824 arrests.
Anti-Kidnapping Operations
Operations under his leadership rescued 873 kidnapping victims and led to 1,242 arrests.
Deradicalization & Extremist Rehabilitation
Initiated a rehabilitation program under close observation for extremists prepared to renounce violence and return to normal life, alongside a continuing counter-narrative effort against radical messaging.
Anti-Food Adulteration Campaigns
Led mobile-court operations against the mixing of formalin and other unauthorised chemicals in food, first as DMP Commissioner and later as RAB Director General, building public awareness and reducing contamination.
Action Against Exam Question Paper Leakage
Directed RAB operations against the leakage of question papers in public examinations, resulting in a significant number of arrests and a reduction in the practice.
Response to Political Violence, Motijheel
As DMP Commissioner, oversaw the peaceful dispersal of a large Hefazat-e-Islam demonstration in Motijheel without casualties, amid a wider period of political violence, arson, and vandalism in Dhaka (2012–2014).
Intelligence and Analysis Division
Introduced a new Intelligence and Analysis Division within Dhaka Metropolitan Police to strengthen internal accountability, transparency, and human rights oversight of service delivery.
Police Modernization
Introduced the e-traffic prosecution system, digital payroll, ration store and inventory management, a suspect identification and verification system, and Police Internal Oversight (PIO) — the first internal oversight body in Bangladesh Police, conceived as his own initiative. As DMP Commissioner, also launched the force's official website, online news portal, and Facebook and YouTube channels to improve public communication.
Tactical Belt Initiative
Introduced a tactical belt with modern operational gear as part of police modernization, and took firm action against highway extortion, reducing it substantially.
Training Revitalization
Overhauled training syllabi and infrastructure across the force, introducing new training modules at every level to strengthen professionalism, accountability, and adherence to international human rights standards.
Zero-Tolerance Policy for Violence Against Women
Adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward violence against women and steps toward gender mainstreaming within the force, and directed Bangladesh Police's humanitarian response to flood-affected populations across the country.
Victim Support & Police Cyber Support for Women
Established DMP's Victim Support Center for women and children, and, as IGP, the Police Cyber Support for Women (PCSW) unit — launched 16 November 2020 — which assisted over 8,300 women with cyber harassment cases in its first year.
COVID-19 Response
Directed Bangladesh Police's frontline pandemic response, including SOP development, food and medical aid distribution, plasma donation drives, and expansion of the Central Police Hospital from 250 to over 1,000 beds. During this period, 13,316 police personnel were infected with COVID-19 in the line of duty and 53 lost their lives in service.
International Recognition for Counter-Terrorism
Bangladesh's improved performance against terrorism and violent extremism during his tenure as IGP was recognized in the US Department of State's Country Report on Terrorism 2020, which noted a decrease in terrorist activity alongside an increase in related investigations and arrests.
International Career
UN peacekeeping and global policing leadership.
Contingent Commander, UN Mission in Bosnia (UNMIBH)
Contributed to the establishment of the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina, assisting in reforming and restructuring the local police.
Contingent Commander, UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
Worked to promote security, stability, and respect for human rights in Kosovo, supporting the implementation of agreements reached between Belgrade and Pristina.
Chief, Mission Management & Support Section, UN DPKO
Served at UN Headquarters in New York — the first official from the subcontinent to hold this position — and was later named to the global expert panel for reforming the UN Police Division.
Awards & Recognitions
Honours received over the course of his career.
Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM)
Six-time recipient of Bangladesh's highest police honour.
UN Medal for Service for Peace
Awarded for service during UN peacekeeping deployments.
Inspector General of Police Exemplary Good Service Badge
Awarded for distinguished service within Bangladesh Police.
President, South Asian Chess Council & Bangladesh Chess Federation
Continues to serve in a leadership capacity for chess administration in South Asia and Bangladesh.
People's love and respect cannot be bought, but have to be earned.