Police Headquarters has instructed all police unit chiefs to seek prior clearance from the inspector general of police (IGP) before leaving their respective workplaces, cautioning that any violation of the order will be considered a disciplinary offence.

The directive was issued through an official letter on January 20, signed by Additional Deputy Inspector General Khandaker Shamima Yasmin of the Personal Management-1 wing at Police Headquarters.

According to the letter, it has recently been observed that several unit chiefs left their duty stations without obtaining approval from Police Headquarters. Such actions, the directive noted, are inconsistent with established disciplinary standards within the force.

The order clearly states that unit chiefs must obtain the IGP’s permission in advance, regardless of whether they intend to leave their workplace for official reasons, personal matters, or while proceeding on leave.

The instruction has been communicated to senior police officials across the country, including the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, the director general of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the chief of Special Branch (SB), all range deputy inspectors general (DIGs), metropolitan police commissioners, district superintendents of police, and heads of all police units.