Officers plan to limit ticketing for minor violations and to extend their response time to non-emergencies
Czech police officers have begun a five-day strike on Monday, protesting difficult working conditions including low wages, increased bureaucracy, and staffing shortages.
The strike, which is set to last through Friday, will not affect public safety, according to organizers.
As officers are legally barred from striking, they are carrying out their protest through other means. This week, officers plan to limit fines for minor offenses and to extend response times for non-urgent calls.
Traffic officers reportedly will not fine drivers for offenses such as not wearing seatbelts, driving without headlights, or minor parking violations. However, serious offenses such as speeding, running red lights, using mobile phones while driving, and other dangerous driving behaviors will continue to be enforced.
Emergency calls will still receive prompt responses, according to Martin Cervenka, a union representative and police chief in Pisek.
Cervenka told media that the lack of funding has created critical staffing shortages. His department should have 41 officers employed, but only 28 currently work there, with six planning to leave the force by the end of the year.
Cervenka stated that further demonstrations will be held if progress is not made in addressing these issues. The union remains open to negotiations and urges the government to address the officers’ grievances seriously.
The number of officers participating in the protest is unknown. A larger protest is planned for November 21 in front of the Ministry of the Interior in Prague.