Police Headquarters has issued a directive requiring all unit chiefs to obtain prior permission from the inspector general of police (IGP) before leaving their workplace, warning that failure to comply will be treated as a breach of discipline.

The instruction was outlined in a letter dated January 20, signed by Additional Deputy Inspector General Khandaker Shamima Yasmin of the Police Headquarters’ Personal Management-1 branch.

The letter said some unit chiefs had recently left their workplaces without permission from Police Headquarters, calling the practice contrary to discipline.

It reiterated that prior approval from the IGP is mandatory, whether a unit chief is going on leave or for any other purpose.

The directive has been circulated to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, the Rab director general, the SB chief, all police unit chiefs, all range deputy inspectors general, all metropolitan police commissioners, and superintendents of police in all districts.