Dhaka, Dec. 4 -- The Council of Advisers, on Thursday, approved the long-anticipated Police Commission Ordinance, paving the way for the formation of an independent five-member commission aimed at making policing in Bangladesh more public-centred, accountable and rights-sensitive.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced the decision at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday afternoon, following a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Ms Hasan said the ordinance provides for a five-member Police Commission to be led by a retired judge of the Supreme Court. Other members, she added, must include a Grade-I government officer with experience as a district magistrate, a retired police officer not...