Police forced to stop using sub-standard cells

Czech police have had to stop using hundreds of cells at stations around the country because they do not meet international guidelines, Czech Television reported. The president of the Czech Republic’s police force, Oldřich Martinů, said that the police had to guarantee respect for the dignity of those they apprehend. However, some rank and file officers have criticised the cell closures, saying it could be dangerous not to have offenders behind bars at police stations. Mr Martinů said improvements on sub-standard cells would gradually be carried out, explaining the police did not have resources to modernise all the inadequate cells immediately.