They are the scourge of motorists across the former Soviet Union, known for accusing drivers of fictitious crimes and demanding a bribe to clear them.
But now Ukraine has sacked all of its 23,000 traffic police. The president, Viktor Yushchenko, said they had "discredited themselves" and would cease to exist.
In the most sweeping anti-corruption gesture of his six-month presidency, Mr Yushchenko said yesterday that repeated orders to the traffic police to clean up their act had gone unheeded.
"I have warned [senior officers] three times that if they only keep on hiding in bushes ... and do nothing else, they will no longer exist. Ukraine will not have a traffic police department starting from today."
The interior ministry said the traffic police, or GAI as they are known, would be replaced by a "patrol service of the highest European standards".
Mr Yushchenko also said regional police chiefs would be dismissed and an anti-corruption drive launched.
He also criticised their manners. "Let's agree: you should leave foul language at home," he said. "Actually, it would be better if you didn't use it at home either. You are servants of the state. Try to talk without swearing. If anyone can't learn to do this, then write a letter of resignation."
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