28 Feb 2005

French Polynesia police demonstrate for better conditions

11:13 am on 28 February 2005

The French high commission in French Polynesia has detailed expenditure for the national police following a street demonstration in Papeete by more than 100 officers for better conditions.

The high commission says more funds are being made available which allows for one police officer for fewer than 200 inhabitants while in France there is one policeman for every 425 residents.

The uniformed policemen's union claims to be poorly resourced and given little support.

The police say they wanted to hold a march last October but the political crisis in Tahiti, with the occupation of the presidential palace, prompted them to defer their action.

By law, the police are not allowed to strike.