Fat police officers ‘banned’ from Vietnam capital

Published on 06/03/2013 13:35

VIETNAM’S capital Hanoi is undergoing an unusual clean-up, as traffic policemen deemed too short or fat will be barred from the streets and given desk jobs.

The Hanoi traffic police are monitoring the behaviour of their staff and reassigning those who fail to adhere to the force’s code of conduct. Officers must carry a copy of the code of conduct with them at all times.

The official Vanguard newpaper reported that five teams of enforcement inspectors has been sent to monitor the traffic cops.

Hanoi is home to seven million people, and is widely-known for the behaviour of its drivers and motorbike riders, as the country effectively has no Highway Code.

The Hanoi traffic police have been trying to repair their reputation in recent months after mounting concerns over corruption and poor behaviour from officers.

The move follows the introduction in January of female police officers.