FORT BRAGG SUSPENDS 9 MPS

Nine Fort Bragg military police officers have been suspended from their law
enforcement duties while they are under investigation for possible drug use.

No one has been charged and the investigation continues.

The suspensions were confirmed by Col. Paul Raggio, commander of the 16th
Military Police Brigade. "I hold my soldiers to the highest of standards,"
Raggio said. "We represent something very special to the Fort Bragg and the
Fayetteville community. And I want to maintain that. And it's very
important to me that the community has trust and confidence in their
military police."

Raggio said the suspected drug use was reported by an informant, but would
not elaborate.

"It was someone who reported military police, they believe military police,
suspected of using or being associated with drugs," he said.

Raggio said he was notified about the tip on April 26 and Army
investigators began interviewing soldiers April 27.

Those interviews are continuing, he said.

Fayetteville law enforcement agencies said Wednesday that they were not
involved in the investigation.

Last summer, 11 MPs in Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne Division were the
subjects of a drug investigation. Three soldiers were court-martialed and
convicted. Five others were disciplined administratively. Others received
immunity for testimony.

Raggio said he believes his MPs' credibility as law enforcers on Fort Bragg
will be based on the unit's tradition of "superior performance and excellence."

He added, "Although this may be an embarrassment, we are determined to
project nothing but confidence and trust to the public."

Raggio said the suspected actions of a few should not detract from the
daily performance of the majority of his soldiers.

More than 1,000 soldiers serve in the brigade. About 800 are MPs. The other
200 are in support jobs, as clerks, cooks and mechanics.

The nine under investigation are MPs, mostly junior enlisted soldiers, with
a few sergeants, Raggio said.

The nine MPs are from units throughout the brigade.

Soldiers in the 16th Military Police Brigade enforce laws at Fort Bragg.
Those duties include assisting Army investigators in criminal apprehension,
including drug activity.

A part of the soldiers' mission is to also train for rapid deployment
worldwide with 18th Airborne Corps units.

Drug Testing

Raggio said his brigade has a number of methods to test and deter drug
activity within the brigade.

A minimum of 10 percent of his soldiers are given urinalysis tests each
month. The objective is to test every soldier at least once a year, Raggio
said.

Leaders in the brigade hold quarterly inspections of soldiers' cars and
barracks rooms, looking for illegal items such as ammunition, drug
paraphernalia or drugs.

Raggio said brigade policy encourages soldiers to report any illegal
activity within the unit.

Raggio said the unit has nothing to hide.

"We are the ones that detected this and then are pursuing it," he said.
"And because of our rigid standards, that's what we are doing."

Raggio, who has been in command for 20 months, said he has had no problems
in the past with soldiers involved in drugs.