Al Beli Afifa

Superintendent of Police, Bangladesh Police

Experienced Fellow with a demonstrated history of working in the international affairs and human rights. Skilled in Public Safety Leadership, Human Rights, Crisis Management, Intelligence Analysis, Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, and Global Human Resources Management. Strong research professional with a Humphrey School of Public Affairs focused in Leadership and Human Rights from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Al Beli Afifa

Superintendent of Police, Bangladesh Police

About Me

Ms. Afifa has over 19 years of experience working in law enforcement with the Bangladesh Police. She currently serves as the Additional Deputy Commissioner for the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. In this position she is responsible for coordinating the activities of various divisions, criminal investigations and code enforcement, overseeing performance of the department, development and training, and ensuring observance of human rights standards in police work. In 2013 she led the Bangladesh Police UNPOL team in South Sudan as the Deputy Contingent Commander and was responsible for the Protection of Civilian duty, investigating violations of human rights, and providing humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons. Ms. Afifa was awarded the United Nations Medal in 2015 in recognition of her contribution to the Protection of Civilians during that mission. She has worked as a detective on high-profile cases concerning domestic and international terrorism and countering violent extremism.

Ms. Afifa earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and a Master of Science in applied mathematics from the University of Dhaka. During her Humphrey Fellowship she plans to focus on law and human rights, specifically on the processes by which U.S. police departments seek to protect human rights.

What Actually I Do

I work at the intersection of public safety, strategic security planning, counterterrorism, human rights, and international peace operations. My role goes far beyond enforcement. It is about anticipation, coordination, protection, and long-term stability.

Strategic Security Planning & Crisis Management

I design and oversee high-level security plans for:

National and local elections
Prime Minister and VIP visits
Diplomatic zones and embassies
Key point installations and sensitive locations

This includes threat assessment, risk mapping, force deployment, daily security planning, and immediate crisis response. I ensure that operations are not reactive, but structured and intelligence-driven.

Counterterrorism & Deradicalization

Planned high-risk counterterrorism operations
Assessed operational threats before deployment
Implemented both hard and soft counter-extremism strategies
Evaluated deradicalization initiatives through community engagement

Counterterrorism, for me, is not just enforcement. It involves prevention, intelligence coordination, and long-term resilience building.

Diplomatic & International Security Coordination

In diplomatic security roles, I:

Developed daily security strategies for embassies and high commissions
Coordinated with international missions and stakeholders
Managed crisis response in high-risk diplomatic environments

This required constant communication with government bodies, foreign missions, and law enforcement agencies.

United Nations Peacekeeping & Global Policing

At the United Nations (UNMISS and UN Headquarters), I:

Managed police components across multiple missions
Advised on election security and peace transition planning
Supported protection of civilians in conflict zones
Evaluated police response during COVID-19
Contributed to gender-based violence response strategies

My focus was protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening institutional capacity, and supporting peace agreements through structured policing frameworks.

Gender, Human Rights & Vulnerable Population Protection

A significant part of my work involves:

Investigating gender-based violence
Protecting internally displaced persons
Supporting third gender and vulnerable communities
Strengthening women’s leadership in policing
Monitoring human rights compliance in operations

Public safety must include dignity, protection, and equal access to justice.

Leadership, Administration & Capacity Building

I have managed large-scale personnel systems involving tens of thousands of officers. My responsibilities include:

Human resource strategy and deployment
Career development and performance management
Training design and delivery
Policy formulation
Organizational accountability and documentation

I believe strong institutions create sustainable security.

Research & Policy Development

Climate migration and gendered vulnerabilities
Female criminality and socio-economic determinants
Workplace protection for women
UN policing strategy and resilience in peace operations

My work bridges field experience with academic research to influence policy and reform.

Academic Background

Educational Qualifications

2016-2017

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

University of Minnesota, USA

2016

Hubert H. Humphrey Pre-Academic Orientation & Training Program

University of California, Davis, USA

2010 – 2012

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

University of Information Technology & Sciences

Dhaka, Bangladesh

2009-2010

45th Foundation Training Course

Bangladesh Public Administration Training Center (BPATC)

Savar, Dhaka

2006 – 2007

Basic Training for Police Officers

Bangladesh Police Academy

Sardah, Rajshahi

2002

Master of Science (MS) in Applied Mathematics

University of Dhaka

Dhaka, Bangladesh

1997-2001

Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mathematics

University of Dhaka

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Professional Journey

Work Experience

Superintendent of Police

July 2023 – September 2024

Gopalgonj District, Bangladesh Police

• Led district-wide law enforcement operations
• Designed and implemented security plans for National Election 2024 and Upazila Election 2024
• Ensured VIP and Prime Minister security during official visits
• Coordinated with intelligence agencies and civil stakeholders
• Directed crisis response and threat-based force deployment
• Oversaw personnel administration and operational compliance

Deputy Commissioner of Police

December 2022 – July 2023

Counter Terrorism & Transnational Crime (CTTC), Dhaka Metropolitan Police

• Planned and supervised high-risk counterterrorism operations
• Implemented deradicalization and community-based prevention strategies
• Conducted operational threat assessments
• Coordinated inter-agency counterterrorism initiatives

Deputy Commissioner of Police

August 2022 – December 2022

Diplomatic Security Division, Dhaka Metropolitan Police

• Managed security for embassies and diplomatic missions
• Developed daily security risk assessments for diplomatic zones
• Led crisis response operations in high-risk environments
• Maintained coordination with foreign missions and national agencies

Police Officer (P3) – Mission Management & Support

February 2019 – August 2021

United Nations Secretariat, Police Division (DPO), New York

• Served as Mission Manager for multiple UN peacekeeping missions
• Advised on election security, mandate implementation, and police reform
• Supported protection of civilians and gender-based violence response
• Contributed to Police Capability Study and COVID-19 response evaluation

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police

July 2017 – Nov 2018

Headquarters Division, Dhaka Metropolitan Police

• Conducted citywide threat assessments
• Directed force deployment and crisis management
• Supervised operational compliance and reporting

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police

August 2015 – May 2016

Headquarters Division, Dhaka Metropolitan Police

• Conducted citywide threat assessments
• Directed force deployment and crisis management
• Supervised operational compliance and reporting

Police Advisor

July 2014 – July 2015

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)

• Ensured protection of civilians in conflict settings
• Conducted patrols and security operations within Protection of Civilian sites
• Monitored and reported human rights violations
• Supported humanitarian operations and public order control

Additional Superintendent of Police

January 2013 – July 2014

Personnel Management Division, Police Headquarters

• Developed HR strategies for approximately 150,000 personnel
• Managed large-scale deployment and recruitment decisions
• Designed training and career development programs
• Promoted gender equity within police services

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police

October 2011 – January 2013

Detective Branch, Dhaka Metropolitan Police

• Supervised criminal investigations
• Led gender-based violence case investigations
• Conducted cybercrime training
• Coordinated inter-agency law enforcement efforts

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police

August 2009 – August 2011

Women Investigation & Victim Support Division, Dhaka Metropolitan Police

• Led investigations involving female victims
• Strengthened victim protection and gender-sensitive policing
• Supervised welfare and empowerment initiatives for women police

Assistant Commissioner of Police

March 2008 – May 2009

City Special Branch, Khulna Metropolitan Police

• Conducted intelligence gathering and risk assessment
• Planned security for elections and VVIP visits
• Managed key point installation security

Skills & Expertise

Strategic Security & Threat Management

Counterterrorism & Intelligence Operations

Inter-agency operational coordination

UN mission management and mandate implementation
Protection of civilians in conflict environments
Peace process technical advisory support
COVID-19 operational response evaluation
Field mission coordination and reporting

Field mission coordination and reporting

Leadership & Organizational Management

Large-scale personnel deployment strategy
Human resource policy development
Capacity building and training design
Performance management and accountability systems
Institutional documentation and compliance

Research & Policy Development

Leadership & Executive Expertise

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Strategic Command & Institutional Leadership
Lead large-scale law enforcement structures at district, metropolitan, and international levels. Direct security planning for national elections, VIP movements, diplomatic zones, and high-risk environments while ensuring operational readiness and institutional accountability.

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High-Stakes Decision Making
Make time-sensitive decisions in volatile environments involving terrorism threats, political unrest, conflict settings, and crisis response situations. Balance operational effectiveness with human rights compliance and legal frameworks.

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Counterterrorism Strategy & National Security Planning
Develop and oversee integrated counterterrorism strategies combining intelligence operations, preventive frameworks, and community-based deradicalization initiatives. Guide multi-agency coordination for complex security operations.

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International Peace Operations & Multilateral Coordination
Managed police components within United Nations peacekeeping missions and advised senior UN leadership on mandate implementation, election security, protection of civilians, and mission transition strategies. Operated in cross-cultural, multi-stakeholder environments at the global level.

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Organizational Transformation & Human Capital Management
Directed personnel strategy for large-scale forces, including deployment planning, performance management, policy formulation, and career development systems. Strengthened institutional efficiency through structured documentation and accountability frameworks.

⚖️

Gender-Inclusive Leadership & Human Rights Governance
Advanced gender-responsive policing models, strengthened protection mechanisms for vulnerable populations, and integrated human rights compliance into operational decision-making. Mentored and empowered women officers in leadership pathways.

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Public Policy, Research & Strategic Foresight
Engage in policy-focused research on climate migration, gendered vulnerabilities, and security governance. Align field experience with academic analysis to support evidence-based institutional reform and long-term resilience planning.