Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), recently extended appreciation to the law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh, including the police, for their proficient management of several large-scale events. This commendation from Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025, after 17 years in self-exile, followed the funeral of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, which saw over a million attendees in Dhaka. The police's efforts in maintaining order during this massive emotionally charged gathering, as well as during the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi and Rahman's own homecoming, were specifically highlighted. This gesture is particularly notable given the recent history of the Bangladesh police. For nearly sixteen months leading up to this appreciation, the police force had reportedly been 'demoralised' and burdened by public antipathy, stemming from their alleged complicity in a crackdown under the previous Sheikh Hasina government during July-August 2024. After Hasina's departure, the police faced mob lynchings and attacks, and were often forced to operate without adequate protective gear, further diminishing their reputation. In September 2024, the Bangladesh Army even took over magisterial powers to provide protection to the police amidst a breakdown in law and order. Rahman's public acknowledgment therefore serves as a significant gesture of support and potentially a move to rebuild trust and morale within the police force in a post-Hasina Bangladesh. The event underscores the fluid and complex political landscape of Bangladesh, with implications for regional stability.