In growing frustration with the government, parts of the Czech police force are preparing for mass resignations on July 1, citing critical conditions that have worsened under the current administration, according to a report by Echo24.
Martin Červenka, vice chairman of the Trade Union of Security Forces and commander of the Písek Police, stated in an interview with CNN Prima News that the security forces have been treated as political toys in the run-up to the elections.
“Politicians do not perceive the extreme urgency of the situation. The elections are approaching, so there will be promises of what will be done after them. No one will deal with the fact that we cannot wait a day in the security forces,” he said. According to Červenka, the government has taken the situation from a “very serious” to an “extremely critical” state in just one election cycle.
Červenka reported that one group of officers plans to resign en masse on July 1, while another group is considering going on sick leave to address “health ailments,” a tactic previously used by police forces in Poland. “I’m terribly sorry and angry, but I completely understand them,” Červenka said, expressing regret but also support for their actions.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala met recently with President Petr Pavel to address the issue, although few details have been disclosed on how they plan to address the deteriorating situation.
President Pavel recently stated that he would inquire how the government plans to maintain balanced salary increases among all security forces. Fiala noted that any pay raises should consider the differing conditions among the corps. Defense Minister Jana Černochová has expressed hope that a salary increase for soldiers could be approved by early July, which could roll out to the police following a government-commissioned analysis comparing conditions across sectors.
Červenka warned that the only pending amendment to the Act on the Service of Members of the Security Forces is so flawed that it would be better if it fails to pass before the elections. “It will be better to sit down again after the elections and either make a comprehensive amendment, or rather a completely new law,” he said, arguing that the current structure, which treats each regional police directorate as a separate entity, is deeply dysfunctional and undermines national cohesion.
The officer also stressed that the problem is not just about money but about the structure and governance of the police itself. “In the Czech Republic, we don’t have one police force, we have 14.” This fragmentation, he argued, limits the Police President’s ability to enforce reforms across the country.
The opposition ANO movement, widely expected to lead the next government after elections later this year, responded swiftly to Červenka’s comments. Robert Králíček, ANO deputy chairman, condemned the government’s handling of the police force and warned of the consequences. “It is absolutely unbelievable how far the current government has allowed the situation in our security forces to go,” Králíček wrote on X.
He accused Interior Minister Vít Rakušan of wasting the entire term without implementing any real systemic changes. Králíček promised that if ANO takes control of the Interior Ministry after the elections, they have a specific plan ready to address the crisis, although he did not provide further details.
