Positive in dope test: Process on to dismiss 26 police personnel, says DMP Commissioner

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said they have started the process of dismissing 26 police personnel -- found positive in dope tests.

"We have conducted dope test on suspected police members. Of them, 26 were found to be positive. The process of dismissing them has started," he said while inaugurating the office of the newly formed Mirpur Traffic Division.

The DMP commissioner said they believe this action will send a clear message to the rest that none will be spared for involvement with drugs.

"Police members who are involved in drugs or are collaborating with drug dealers are being arrested in cases," he said, adding many have already quit drugs and returned to the right path.

Action was being taken against policemen involved in drugs in the same way as police take action against drug traders, he added.

The 26 police personnel include a traffic sergeant, four sub-inspectors, three assistant sub-inspectors, a Nayek and 17 constables.

They are from different divisions of DMP and went under dope tests in the last two months, Walid Hossain, deputy commissioner (Media) of DMP, told The Daily Star.

The number of the police personnel who went under dope test so far could not be known immediately but concerned officials said this practice for suspected police personnel will continue.