Can plainclothes traffic police fine traffic violators?

Regarding this issue, Circular 01/2016/TT-BCA of the Ministry of Public Security stipulates that police officers are allowed to disguise themselves in order to improve the effectiveness of ensuring traffic safety and order. This is also to fight and prevent crime and is a solution when the traffic safety and order situation is complicated.

Clause 1, Article 11 of Circular 65/2020/TT-BCA stipulates the uniform of Traffic Police. Specifically:

- Traffic police when patrolling, controlling, and handling violations must wear police uniforms and People's Police numbers according to regulations of the Ministry of Public Security. When controlling at night or during the day in foggy or bad weather conditions that limit visibility, they must wear reflective vests;

- In case of control through professional technical equipment and vehicles, a group of plainclothes traffic police will be arranged to operate and use professional technical equipment and vehicles, monitor traffic order and safety, detect violations of road traffic laws and other violations of law. When detecting a violation, it must be immediately reported to the patrol and public control department to conduct control and handle it according to the provisions of law....

The Head of the Road Traffic Patrol and Control Guidance Department under the Traffic Police Department, the Head of the Traffic Police Department, the Head of the District, Town, City Police Department under the province, centrally-run city or higher shall decide to wear police uniforms or plain clothes when using professional technical equipment and means and must clearly state in the patrol and control plan.

Thus, plainclothes traffic police are not authorized to impose fines but only monitor traffic situations through professional technical equipment and immediately report to uniformed patrol units if violations are detected.

Therefore, traffic police are required to wear police uniforms when patrolling, controlling and handling traffic violations.

Minh Hoa (t/h)

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