They do not want to issue any tickets for administrative offenses such as illegal parking and speeding until the end of the week, as representatives of the Czech police union announced. Excepted are more serious violations that result in points in the traffic register.
Criticism of police leadership
The background to the strange protest is that the total of around 40,000 police officers in the Czech Republic are not allowed to stop working. Traffic tickets are issued there by the city or municipal police and the traffic police. The police leadership criticized this form of protest. It could undermine the public’s trust in the security organs, it was said.
Burden of bureaucracy
The unions complained that the burden of bureaucracy had increased. In addition, many positions would remain unfilled. The starting salaries are too low. The Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan recently announced that monthly police salaries should increase by an average of around 60 euros next year. The unions demanded the equivalent of just under 160 euros. The employee representatives are planning further protest actions until the end of the year – in what form is still unclear.
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**Interview with Jan Novak, a Representative of the Czech Police Union**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Jan. Can you explain the recent protests by the Czech police and what they aim to achieve?
**Jan Novak:** Thank you for having me. The protests we’re seeing are a direct response to the ongoing issues of low wages, staffing shortages, and the increasing burden of bureaucracy that our officers face. With the current salaries, many of us are struggling to make ends meet, and we feel that our contributions to public safety are not being adequately recognized or compensated.
**Interviewer:** It seems that the police union has decided to stop issuing tickets for administrative offenses. Can you elaborate on how this decision was reached and what the expected impact is?
**Jan Novak:** Yes, we decided to halt ticket issuance for minor offenses like illegal parking and speeding as part of our protest. This isn’t just an arbitrary decision; it’s a way to bring attention to our working conditions and show the public that we are serious about these issues. We hope that by making this sacrifice, the public will understand our plight and support our cause.
**Interviewer:** There has been criticism from police leadership regarding this form of protest. How do you respond to their concerns about undermining public trust?
**Jan Novak:** We understand their concerns, but we believe it’s important to prioritize our officers’ well-being as well. If we are overworked and underpaid, it ultimately affects our ability to serve the public effectively. We hope this protest will encourage a constructive dialogue about our working conditions and lead to real changes rather than merely being seen as a negative action.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the demands for salary increases. Can you clarify what you’re asking for and how it compares to what has been proposed by the government?
**Jan Novak:** Currently, the government has proposed an increase of about 60 euros per month for next year, which we appreciate, but it falls short. We are advocating for an increase of nearly 160 euros to truly reflect the cost of living and the value of our work. The goal is to make a career in the police force financially sustainable and attractive, especially given the critical role we play in society.
**Interviewer:** what are the next steps for the police union? Will we see more actions in the future?
**Jan Novak:** Yes, absolutely. We have already planned further protests throughout the year to maintain pressure on the government. Our aim is to create a situation where our voices are heard and actionable changes are made. Our officers deserve better, and we will continue fighting until we achieve that.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Jan. We hope for a swift resolution to these important issues.
**Jan Novak:** Thank you for covering our story. We appreciate the platform to share our concerns.
