ExcelScript.WorksheetProtection interface , instead of

  // Pause sheet protection with a password if needed
  if (ws.getProtection().getProtected()) {
    ws.getProtection().unprotect(shtPW);
  }

use (see the link for the entire code):

  const protection: ExcelScript.WorksheetProtection = sheet.getProtection();
  
  // Check if the provided password works.
  if (protection.checkPassword(password)) {
    protection.pauseProtection(password);