Striking Bolivian police reject accord

June 24, 2012 | Modified: June 24, 2012 at 8:16 pm
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Police demanding salary increases shout slogans on the roof of a police internal affairs building that was sacked and its content burned, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 22, 2012. Protesters were demanding salaries on par with soldiers and a pension equal to 100 percent of their salaries. Bolivian police earn about $144 a month and were not appeased by a 7 percent government-decreed wage increase this year. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Striking Bolivian police officers have rejected an accord with the government four days into a nationwide strike to demand higher wages.

The protesting rank-and-file police burned copies of the agreement during marches across Bolivia Sunday and said they would elect new representatives.

President Evo Morales accused his political foes of using the mutiny to prepare a coup d'etat.

The striking police rejected an accord reached overnight that would have raised salaries by $30 a month above the current $194. They are seeking wages on par with army sergeants, who earn nearly $300.

The protest has been largely peaceful though some injuries occurred Thursday when about 30 police and their wives launched the mutiny with the occupation of a La Paz police barracks.