Czech Police on Strike Decline to Issue Fines
Police in the Czech Republic intend to demonstrate against their low salaries by reducing the number of tickets issued and slowing down response times for non-emergency calls. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Some police officers in the Czech Republic initiated a strike on Monday in response to challenging working conditions, which include low starting wages, increasing bureaucracy, and staff shortages, as reported by local media outlets.
The five-day protest, scheduled to continue through Friday, is organized in a manner that will not jeopardize public safety. Officers are expected to limit the issuance of tickets for minor violations and extend their response times for non-emergency situations during the week.
Traffic enforcement will focus on serious violations such as speeding, running red lights, and using mobile phones while driving. However, officers will reportedly refrain from issuing fines for minor infractions like failure to wear seatbelts, driving without headlights, and minor parking offenses.
Emergency situations will still be prioritized with prompt responses, according to Martin Cervenka, union representative and police chief of Pisek.
Cervenka highlighted that inadequate funding has resulted in significant personnel shortages. His department should have 41 officers, but currently operates with only 28, and six of those are planning to leave by the end of the year.
He stated that further protests will occur if there is no progress in addressing these concerns. The union remains open to negotiation and is urging the government to seriously consider the officers' grievances.
The number of participating officers in this protest remains uncertain. A larger demonstration is also scheduled for November 21 in front of the Ministry of the Interior in Prague.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
The five-day protest, scheduled to continue through Friday, is organized in a manner that will not jeopardize public safety. Officers are expected to limit the issuance of tickets for minor violations and extend their response times for non-emergency situations during the week.
Traffic enforcement will focus on serious violations such as speeding, running red lights, and using mobile phones while driving. However, officers will reportedly refrain from issuing fines for minor infractions like failure to wear seatbelts, driving without headlights, and minor parking offenses.
Emergency situations will still be prioritized with prompt responses, according to Martin Cervenka, union representative and police chief of Pisek.
Cervenka highlighted that inadequate funding has resulted in significant personnel shortages. His department should have 41 officers, but currently operates with only 28, and six of those are planning to leave by the end of the year.
He stated that further protests will occur if there is no progress in addressing these concerns. The union remains open to negotiation and is urging the government to seriously consider the officers' grievances.
The number of participating officers in this protest remains uncertain. A larger demonstration is also scheduled for November 21 in front of the Ministry of the Interior in Prague.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
