Onbehalf of the European Confederation of Police (EuroCOP), on social rights, the right to strike and health and safety of police officers in the EU 

The petitioner is concerned with the perceived lack of implementation of certain social rights as regards police officers. The petitioner alleges that several Member States have restricted or even denied fundamental rights for police officers, such as the freedom of expression, the right to freedom of assembly and association, the right of collective bargaining and action, and workers’ rights to information and consultation. She specifically refers to the police forces in Spain, Portugal and Ireland, where police officers face restrictions in their affiliation and activities within the trade unions. The petitioner states that the restrictions on the right to strike should be interpreted narrowly and alleges that Member States have not demonstrated compelling reasons as to why there exists an absolute prohibition on the right to strike for police officers. The petitioner also claims that police officers are not provided with the same health and safety rights as other workers in line with the provisions of Council Directive- 89/391/ EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in worker health and safety. She states that police officers are more prone to specific work-related illnesses such as depression, PTSD and stress, and she is concerned about the lack of proper equipment and training. The petitioner recommends that police officers are included in all relevant legislation related to worker protection (Directive 89/391/EEC and Directive 2009/104/EC) and that EU legislation has to be adopted addressing police officers specifically.