CHP's Tanal claims 'night watchmen are wearing police vests': 'You don't mess with uniforms'

CHP Şanlıurfa MP Mahmut Tanal has made a striking claim based on a photograph he shared on his social media account.

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CHP's Tanal claims 'night watchmen are wearing police vests': 'You don't mess with uniforms'

In his social media statement, Tanal shared a photograph and stated, "A crime is being committed by having night watchmen wear police vests."

While protests continue following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, police interventions against demonstrators are also being met with public backlash.

CHP Şanlıurfa MP Mahmut Tanal made a statement on his X account as the debates and reactions continue.

In his statement, Tanal said, "In this image recorded in Kızılay, Ankara, it is clearly seen that vests marked 'Police'—the title and jurisdiction of which belong solely to the police force—are being worn by night watchmen."

Expressing his reaction through the photograph he shared, the CHP member continued his statement as follows:

"This action clearly constitutes the crime of 'unlawful assumption of a public duty,' that is, usurpation of title and authority, in accordance with Article 264 of the Turkish Penal Code.

Furthermore, this situation is contrary to;

The Law on Police Duties and Powers,

The Law on the Police Organization,

The Regulation on Neighborhood and Bazaar Watchmen,

And the principles of public order and security.

The duties, powers, and responsibilities of police officers and night watchmen are clearly separated from each other. Creating a misleading impression among the public by having night watchmen wear police vests is also a deception that threatens public safety!

Do not forget: A uniform represents the state! You don't mess with uniforms!

We call on the Ministry of Interior and Public Prosecutors to immediately initiate proceedings against those responsible.

If there is law, there is no arbitrariness!"

POLİS YELEĞİ BEKÇİYE GİYDİRİLEREK SUÇ İŞLENİYOR!

Ankara Kızılay’da kaydedilen bu görüntüde, polis unvanı ve görev alanı yalnızca kolluk kuvveti olan polis teşkilatına ait olan “Polis” ibareli yeleğin, bekçilere giydirildiği açıkça görülmektedir.

Bu eylem, Türk Ceza Kanunu’nun… pic.twitter.com/ZZ8t5IuI9o
— Av.Mahmut TANAL (@MTanal) March 28, 2025