Guardia Civil order agents not to use mobile phones on duty

THE GUARDIA Civil has issued an instruction to agents working in the traffic department prohibiting them from using personal mobile phones whilst on duty.

Traffic police are responsible for ensuring safety on the roads and preventing drivers from causing any danger, including stopping any driver seen using a mobile phone; using a phone whilst driving carries a €200 fine and three points off your driving license.

These measures have been deemed necessary as various cases have been reported, which the Guardia Civil feel gives the department a negative public image, they also believe that officers are being distracted from their work. They say they understand that mobile telephones have become an integral part of modern life, so they will not ban officers from carrying them, just that they are sensible about their use in case of emergency or one-off situations.

Officers have also been instructed not to use their personal mobile phones for official police business, but rather the official communications systems, to ensure efficiency and confidentiality. In particular, WhatsApp should not be used as it is not sufficiently private.