Police and firemen to protest against minister’s austerity plan

Police officers and firemen are planning a joint protest action on September 21 against Interior Minister Radek John’s austerity plan. The minister outlined earlier this week how he expected the ministry to operate on a smaller budget in 2010. He said the priorities were to save on operational expenditures and investments, and decreased pay for police and firemen. Other measures will include cancelling plans for modernizing police and fire departments and purchasing new equipment. The announcement has met with anger from the ranks of police and firefighters who claim that the minister lacks experience in the field and has no idea how his proposals will impact the work of the security forces.