About & Experience

A Career in Service, Security & Peace

The profile, services, education, professional journey and honors that define Al Beli Afifa's nearly two decades of leadership in law enforcement and international peacekeeping.

Al Beli Afifa
Profile

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 earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and a Master of Science in applied mathematics from the University of Dhaka, and completed the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship at the University of Minnesota — a U.S. Department of State leadership program. She is a member of the International Association of Women Police, with a professional network spanning law enforcement leaders worldwide.

What Actually I Do

Areas of Work

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 — structured and intelligence-driven, not reactive.

Counterterrorism & Deradicalization

In counterterrorism operations, I have:

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

Counterterrorism, for me, 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 initiatives

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

Research & Policy Development

My current research focuses on:

  • Climate migration and gendered vulnerabilities
  • Female criminality and socio-economic determinants
  • Workplace protection for women
  • UN policy, strategy and mechanisms in peace operations

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

Academic Background

Educational Qualifications

A foundation of mathematics, business, and global leadership training that underpins a distinguished policing career.

2016–2017

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

University of Minnesota, USA
2016

Humphrey Pre-Academic Orientation & Training Program

University of California, Davis, USA
2010–2012

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

University of Information Technology & Sciences, Dhaka
2009–2010

45th Foundation Training Course

Bangladesh Public Administration Training Center (BPATC), Savar
2006–2007

Basic Training for Police Officers

Bangladesh Police Academy, Sardah, Rajshahi
2002

Master of Science (MS) in Applied Mathematics

University of Dhaka
1997–2001

Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mathematics

University of Dhaka
Professional Journey

Work Experience

2008 – 2024 · 11 senior appointments across Bangladesh Police & the United Nations.

Jul 2023 – Sep 2024

Superintendent of Police

Gopalganj 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
Dec 2022 – Jul 2023

Deputy Commissioner of Police

Counter Terrorism & Transnational Crime (CTTC) · DMP
  • Planned and supervised high-risk counterterrorism operations
  • Implemented deradicalization and community-based prevention strategies
  • Conducted operational threat assessments
  • Coordinated interagency counterterrorism initiatives
Aug 2022 – Dec 2022

Diplomatic Security

Diplomatic Security Division · DMP
  • 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
Feb 2019 – Aug 2021

Police Officer (P3) — Mission Management & Support

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
Jul 2017 – Nov 2018

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police

Headquarters Division · DMP
  • Conducted citywide threat assessment
  • Directed force deployment and crisis management
  • Supervised operational compliance and reporting
Jul 2014 – Jul 2015

Police Advisor

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
Jan 2013 – Jul 2014

Additional Superintendent of Police

Personnel Management Division · Police Headquarters
  • Developed HR strategies for approximately 100,000 personnel
  • Managed large-scale deployment and recruitment decisions
  • Designed training and career development programs
  • Promoted gender equity within police services
Oct 2011 – Jan 2013

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police

Detective Branch · DMP
  • Supervised criminal investigations
  • Led gender-based violence case investigations
  • Conducted cybercrime training
  • Coordinated inter-agency law enforcement efforts
Aug 2009 – Aug 2011

Women Investigation & Victim Support

Women Investigation & Victim Support Division · DMP
  • Led investigations involving female victims
  • Strengthened victim protection and gender-sensitive policing
  • Supervised welfare and empowerment initiatives for women police
Mar 2008 – May 2009

Assistant Commissioner of Police

City Special Branch · DMP
  • Conducted intelligence gathering and risk assessment
  • Planned security for elections and VVIP visits
  • Managed key point installation security
Recognition

Honors & Awards

A distinguished career in the Bangladesh Police and United Nations Peacekeeping, recognized nationally and internationally for exemplary service, leadership, and pioneering achievement.

2023

President Police Medal (PPM) — 2023

Government of Bangladesh

Awarded (Feb 2024) for distinguished service in Bangladesh Police.

2021

United Nations Headquarters Medal

United Nations

Awarded (Aug 2021) by the Secretary-General for contribution in Peacekeeping Operations at UN Secretariat, NY, USA.

2018

IGP's Exemplary Good Services Badge 2018

Dhaka Metropolitan Police

Awarded (Jan 2018) for distinguished service in Bangladesh Police.

2016

Bangladesh Women Police Award 2016

UNMISS

Peacekeeping Mission Special Honor category by Bangladesh Police Women Network (BPWN), Mar 2016.

2015

The United Nations Medal — UNMISS

United Nations

Awarded (Apr 2015) for service in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (2014–2015).

2013

Excellence in Performance Award

International Association of Women Police

Investigation category, 51st Annual Training Conference, Durban, South Africa (Sep 2013). First woman police officer in South Asia to receive this award.

Skills & Expertise

Full Competency Map

Strategic Security & Threat Management

Threat assessment & risk analysisElection security planningVIP & diplomatic protection strategyCrisis management & rapid responseKey point installation security

Counterterrorism & Intelligence Operations

High-risk operational planningCounterterrorism strategy (hard & soft)Deradicalization program evaluationIntelligence gathering & analysisInter-agency operational coordination

UN & Peace Operations

UN mission management & mandate implementationProtection of civiliansPeace process technical advisoryCOVID-19 operational response evaluationField mission coordination & reporting

Human Rights & Community Policing

Gender-based violence investigationProtection of internally displaced personsHuman rights monitoring & complianceWomen's empowerment in law enforcementCommunity-oriented policing

Leadership & Organizational Management

Large-scale personnel deployment strategyHuman resource policy developmentCapacity building & training designPerformance management & accountabilityInstitutional documentation & compliancePeacekeeping reform & resilience analysis

Executive Leadership & Institutional Vision

Two decades of senior command across national law enforcement and international peace operations — leading people, strategy, and institutions under high-stakes conditions.