On February 27, the Hiroshima Prefectural Police announced the dismissal of a 30-year-old police officer from the Higashihiroshima Police Station’s Criminal Investigation Division for possessing and using cannabis. The officer has been arrested and indicted on charges of violating drug laws related to possession and is facing additional charges concerning use. According to the Internal Affairs Bureau, the officer admitted to possessing approximately 5.5 grams of dried cannabis and using it at his official residence, where various other substances, including cannabis liquid and synthetic drugs like LSD, were also found.

The officer claimed he began using cannabis as a means to cope with work-related stress and asserted that he could not stop. Furthermore, he acknowledged having used cannabis liquid in the police station’s toilets and investigation vehicles. He also mentioned that since moving to Hiroshima, he had purchased cannabis around 20 times. The officer had previously served in the Kochi Prefectural Police before being hired into the Hiroshima police force in the spring of 2024, raising concerns about the recruitment process and oversight within the police department.

This incident highlights significant issues concerning drug use among law enforcement officials and the potential impact on public trust in police integrity. The revelation of an officer engaging in illegal drug use while on duty poses serious implications for the credibility of the police force, prompting calls for stricter regulations and thorough investigations into members of law enforcement to prevent such breaches of conduct in the future.