Dhaka, April 30 -- At the heart of this year's Police Week is the force's effort to showcase a "turnaround" following the violent clashes with the public during the July Uprising.

Yet beneath the surface, morale remains bruised as frustrations over stalled reforms persist, compounded by a lingering "fear" of taking decisive action in incidents involving political, religious groups, or student bodies.

A crippling "fear" has gripped the police force, fuelled by the arrests of officers accused of killings during the mass uprising. This deep-seated anxiety, coupled with persistent reform disappointments, raises serious questions about the law-enforcing agency's readiness to manage the challenges of the upcoming general election.

Officials ...