Portugal Police Angry at Having to Purchase Uniforms

Friday 20th of June 2008 04:37:15 PM

The cycling-police force in Oporto are said to not have uniforms this summer unless they purchase their own. And unless they purchase said uniforms, they will miss out on a season’s work as they will not be enlisted to patrol the beaches this summer.

The officers describe the situation as unfair. Those who opt to purchase the uniforms will be eligible for patrols and those who do not purchase the uniforms out of their own pockets will not be able to utilise their training. It seems that the officers are being chosen by who can afford to buy their own shirts instead of who excelled in their training.

The Oporto PSP Metropolitan Command does not seem to have the budget to supply the uniforms, despite the begrudgement of the PSP officers of having to pay for their own uniforms. The tension over the matter began on the 2nd of June whilst the 14 officers were beginning their bike-patrol course. The officers were informed that there were not any uniforms for any of them, only the bicycles would be provided, which were purchased in 2002 and which many of the officers consider to be obsolete.

The officers were asked to sign a form that stated they would be willing to purchase the uniforms, which consist of polo shirts, shorts, socks and boots. Only ten of the fourteen officers signed the petition.

The officers were informed on the eve before course ended that the command would supply most of the required equipment, but they would still be required to purchase polo shirts for their uniforms. If the officers did not purchase their uniform shirt, then they would not be allowed to do the beach bike patrols they had just trained to do.

Pedro Teles, the Chief Officer of the Oporto PSP Command, is denying the situation. He claims that there is merely a problem with the supplier and that the polo shirts will be available by the end of the month. He also stated that no money would be returned to the officers who purchased their own shirts and that the bicycles previously criticized were perfectly functional.