6,800 more police officers to be dismissed for alleged ties to Gülen

The Turkish government plans to dismiss 6,800 police officers as part of a witch-hunt launched after a failed coup attempt on July 15 over their alleged links to the Gülen movement.
According to government media, the Interior Ministry has prepared a list of dismissals that includes police officers of various ranks. Opening an account at Bank Asya after the Dec.17 and Dec. 25 corruption operations and using the ByLock app are mentioned as the basic criteria for an individual to be put on the list.
Some 2,360 police officers were dismissed during the first wave of the witch-hunt in accordance with state of emergency decrees issued after July 15.
According to government media reports, the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) drew up a list of 53,000 ByLock users.
Nineteen police officers were suspended in Ankara on Thursday.
Purges followed by calls for enlisting new police officers fueled concerns that the ruling party plans to create a party police force.
The National Police Directorate declared that it will hire 10,000 new police officers from among university graduates on Aug. 10. Similarly, Interior Minister Efkan Ala stated on Aug. 10 that they will enlist 10,000 officers for special police units.