Habibur Rahman (police officer)

Habibur Rahman (হাবিবুর রহমান; born 1 January 1967) is a Bangladeshi police officer. He is the 35th Commissioner of DMP. Prior to join here he was head of the Tourist Police. From 2019 to 2022, he was Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Dhaka Range, and DIG of administration & discipline at the police headquarters in Dhaka.

Besides his police responsibilities, Rahman is known for working for the betterment of underprivileged people of the country, especially trans women and Bede people. He is also the general secretary of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, vice president of the Asian Kabaddi Federation, and vice president of the International Kabaddi Federation.

Early life
Rahman was born in 1967 at Chandro Dighulia in Gopalganj District, East Pakistan, Pakistan. He completed a master's degree from the Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka. He then took the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination and was selected for the police cadre. On 22 February 1998, he joined the Bangladesh Police as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

Career
Habibur Rahman came into limelight when he was Dhaka District superintendent of police. On 23 February 2016, he was promoted to additional deputy inspector general. In 2018, he rose to deputy inspector general (DIG) of Administration and Discipline at police headquarters, Dhaka. He became DIG of Dhaka Range in 2019. Rahman was awarded the Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) three times and President Police Medal (PPM) twice. In October 2022, he was promoted to the post of Additional IG and chief of Bangladesh Tourist Police

Rahman is one of the initiators of the Bangladesh Police Liberation War Museum at Rajarbagh Police Lines, Dhaka.

In December 2012, when Rahman was Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), he founded the Police Blood Bank. It operates out of the Central Police Hospital, Rajarbagh, where anyone, not only police, can donate blood. The blood is supplied to anyone in need, with priority given to donors.

To curb the illegal drug trade in Savar, Habib met with Bede (snake charmer) community leaders to discuss how to rehabilitate families involved in the narcotics business. He involved Bedes in community policing and instituted training programs in driving, sewing, and computer use. He created economic opportunities for them and built roads, mosques, and schools for them and for trans women, another community neglected by society.

Through the Uttaran Foundation, which he established and chairs, Rahman has supported members of the transgender community starting their business ventures such as beauty parlors, dairy farms, and tailors.

Rahman also founded an organization called Uttaran Foundation in 2017. Though it has informally been active since 2013. Habib also established a boutique house named "Uttaran Fashion" for underprivileged people.

Rahman became general secretary of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation in 2016. On 29 August 2018, he was elected vice-president of the Asian Kabaddi Federation.

Habib received International Mother Language Award - 2023 for his outstanding role on research collaboration on language. His contribution to the collection of 'Thar' language, the almost extinct mother tongue of the Bede community. He also received the JoJo International Iconic Star Award 2023 from Head of State and Governor Melaca, Malaysia, for his tireless endeavors to improve the livelihoods of Bedes and his book 'Thar' on their endangered language.

In 2022, Habib was appointed head of the Tourist Police and Syed Nurul Islam replaced him as the Deputy Inspector General of Dhaka Range.