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Geneva minister takes striking police to task

Canton Geneva’s security minister has strongly criticised local police who have been on strike over working conditions since Thursday.

Police employees have failed to don their uniforms, to shave or hand out disciplinary fines during the action, which was called for by their staff union.

Isabel Rochat described the attitude of those involved as “totally irresponsible”, adding that serious efforts had been made to improve working conditions.

She has called for common sense to put an end to the protest, pointing out that not wearing a uniform was damaging the image of the police force. “I do not like working under threat,” she said.

Rochat said she did not rule out calling in police from other cantons if the Geneva police did not put a rapid end to their strike.

The union says it does not feel respected by the cantonal government and is not allowed to take part in the decision-making process of reforms.

Geneva police carried out similar protests at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009.

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