A police officer has killed himself in Russia's Bashkortostan, becoming the third law enforcement employee to take his life in the southern Urals republic since the start of this year.
Investigators told RIA Novosti on Saturday that a 22-year-old police dog-handler from the town of Neftyekamsk had hung himself in the bathroom of his flat. He was said to have recently split up with his girlfriend.
Police also said he had been drinking before he took his own life.
The first policeman to end his life in the republic, with a population of just over 4 million, did so on January 1, a 28-year-old officer shooting himself with his service weapon.
Two days later, a 23-year-old officer hung himself in the republic's capital of Ufa. Both suicides were said to be due to personal problems.
There have been growing concerns in Russia over the state of the country's police force, with morale low and the reputation of the guardians of law and order in tatters.
In April of last year, a police major went on a shooting spree in and around a south Moscow supermarket, killing two and injuring seven.
Late last year, Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev said ordinary citizens have the right to defend themselves against police officers who launch illegal attacks on them.
UFA, January 16 (RIA Novosti)
