JAKARTA: City police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara said on Friday that he had just fired a policeman for drug abuse, and nine others for desertion.

"It was based on a decision of the Police Ethics Council on Thursday," he said.

The officer found guilty of using drugs was identified as Adj. Comr. Denny, a member of the Narcotics Unit of the Jakarta police.

Makbul said that the discharge of the delinquent officers was a reflection of a commitment by the police to improve their image. However, he did not explain how legal processing of those discharged would continue. --JP