Police launch investigation after footage shared by Mahmut Tanal! 'This crime cannot be covered up with an "Allah protect us" sign'

Republican People's Party (CHP) Şanlıurfa MP Mahmut Tanal shared photos of buses on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge road whose license plates were covered with nylon signs reading 'police'.

"You cannot have a state made of cardboard or security based on slogans. Is this how police are transported?" asked Tanal, adding, "In the heart of Istanbul, on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, two buses are seen driving in traffic with "POLICE" signs cut out of cardboard taped to the back, despite not being police vehicles."

In his post, Tanal noted the following:

"YOU CANNOT HAVE A STATE MADE OF CARDBOARD OR SECURITY BASED ON SLOGANS! IS THIS HOW POLICE ARE TRANSPORTED? WHAT KIND OF LACK OF SERIOUSNESS IS THIS?

In the heart of Istanbul, on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, two buses are seen driving in traffic with "POLICE" signs cut out of cardboard taped to the back, despite not being police vehicles. Moreover, these buses have "Allah protect us" written on their windows, they belong to a private company, and the company's name is clearly written on them! The windows are full of children's names and decorations!

This disgrace is unacceptable! If these buses are truly transporting police, we must ask:

Has the state run out of its own vehicles?

Are police personnel being transported in buses with slogans on their windows?

Is public duty carried out with cardboard and slogans?

This incident is not just an irregularity; it is the trampling of the law and the seriousness of the state.

Article 204 of the Turkish Penal Code is clear: Anyone who falsely uses an official title, license plate, or sign shall be tried with a heavy penalty!

This crime cannot be covered up with an "Allah protect us" sign. Faith cannot be used as a justification for abuse. Attempting to represent the police force with these images is an insult to the state!

We ask the Ministry of Interior, the Istanbul Governorship, and the General Directorate of Security:

1. Who do these buses belong to?

2. Who made the cardboard "POLICE" plates?

3. How were these vehicles permitted?

A mindset that surrenders the state to cardboard and security to slogans cannot provide confidence to the nation! This picture is not law, but chaos! It is not security, but a farce! Action must be taken against those responsible immediately! Public order is protected by law, not by showmanship!"

YOU CANNOT HAVE A STATE MADE OF CARDBOARD OR SECURITY BASED ON SLOGANS!
IS THIS HOW POLICE ARE TRANSPORTED? WHAT KIND OF LACK OF SERIOUSNESS IS THIS?

In the heart of Istanbul, on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, two buses are seen driving in traffic with "POLICE" signs cut out of cardboard taped to the back, despite not being police vehicles… pic.twitter.com/st9mKBTTw9

— Av.Mahmut TANAL (@MTanal) May 24, 2025

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED

The Istanbul Police Department issued a statement regarding the footage circulating on some social media accounts showing the inappropriate use of the "police" label on certain buses in Istanbul.

The statement read, "In order to carry out our security services effectively and without interruption, temporary rental vehicles are sometimes procured due to security needs regarding certain social issues. The buses seen in the footage, which have the 'police' label added to their license plates, are also rental vehicles temporarily assigned within this scope. It is understood that the license plates were covered and the 'police' label was written in their place by the assigned personnel to prevent criminal proceedings from the EDS (Electronic Inspection System). This practice is absolutely inconsistent with the corporate identity of our organization, and such a practice is not carried out by us. An investigation has been launched regarding the footage in question."