The new inspector general of police (IGP), AKM Shahidul Hoque yesterday said he would pursue a zero tolerance approach towards criminal offences by any member of his force.

In the case of deviations, the force will disown the offenders and they will face legal action, he told the press after taking office at the police headquarters in the capital.

He replaced the longest-serving IGP, Hassan Mahmood Khandker, who had held the office since August 31,2010.

Shahidul Hoque said the force would use all its strength to fight terrorism and militancy, and take measures to reduce its gap with the general people.

In a farewell ceremony at the Rapid Action Battalion headquarters, the outgoing director general Mukhlesur Rahman, an additional IGP, yesterday said the force would have served better had it been equipped with modem technologies.

Replying to a query, he said Rab was sincerely investigating the journalist couple Sagar-Runi murder case. There is no negligence and no lack of coordination with other law enforcement agencies, he said.

Shahidul and outgoing DMP commissioner Benazir Ahmed were appointed chief of the police force and Rab respectively on Tuesday. Both Hassan Mahmood and Mukhlesur Rahman retired.