POLICE STATION; PICKETS; POLICE MARCH; TRAFFIC.




Initials GEM/VS/CR/OS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE 3,000-MAN POLICE FORCE OF BRUSSELS STAGED A 24-HOUR STRIKE TODAY (TUESDAY) TO BACK UP DEMANDS FOR MORE PAY AND MORE GUNS. THE BELGIAN CAPITAL WENT ABOUT ITS BUSINESS NORMALLY AS THE POLICEMEN WALKED IN A SILENT PROTEST MARCH.

THE POLICEMEN'S GRIEVANCES WERE BROUGHT TO A HEAD RECENTLY WHEN TWO OFFICERS WERE SHOT DEAD. THE REASONS FOR THE STRIKE WERE SUMMED UP BY ONE POLICEMAN WHO SAID "WE ARE OUT-GUNNED BY THE GANGSTERS - AND UNDERPAID."
ABOUT FIVE PER CENT OF THE POLICE FORCE REMAINED ON DUTY TO HANDLE EMERGENCIES WHILE THEIR COLLEAGUES, IN PLAIN CLOTHING, STOOD IN PICKET LINES OUTSIDE POLICE STATIONS. OTHER POLICEMEN WORE THEIR UNIFORMS FOR THE PROTEST MARCH THAT MOURNED THE DEATH OF THE TWO OFFICERS.

THE CITY CONTINUED NORMALLY WITHOUT ITS LAW ENFORCERS. THERE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN NO INCREASE IN CRIME, AND TRAFFIC APPEARED TO BE FLOWING MORE SMOOTHLY WITHOUT ANYONE THERE TO DIRECT IT. SERIOUS JAMS USUALLY CLOG THE CITY DURING THE RUSH HOURS, BUT ONLY ONE WAS REPORTED TODAY. MOST DRIVERS APPARENTLY LISTENED TO OFFICIAL ADVICE ABOUT ROAD COURTESY.