For a period of 60 days, around 200 police officers will participate in motorized patrols from late evening until early morning hours with the aim of “preventing and combating serious and organized crime.”
This is the exact reference from a 16-page memorandum sent by the police leadership to all department heads, services, and units of the police force, which is revealed today by Phileleftheros.
This is the action plan that was implemented from last Friday (22/3) and will be in effect until 22 May. It provides for daily motorized patrols from late evening until the early morning hours.
In this two-month operation, the desired outcome, according to the mission described in the classified memorandum to all involved parties, is the enforcement of law and order with a strong police presence.
It is explained that through frequent coordinated operations and systematic checks of vehicles belonging to suspicious individuals and entities, the desired objective will be achieved.
It is evident that with this measure – at least according to the wording used in the directive – a significant blow is sought against criminal elements that have become emboldened in recent months.
It is enough to remind that justice officials, as well as police officers (current and former), have been targets of attacks by the underworld. In one particular case in Paphos, a bomb exploded at the residence of a public prosecutor, putting her life at immediate risk.
For the purposes of implementing the operation, all police departments will participate, including staff performing office duties.
It is indicative that a total of 188 Force members will be on duty every night until the following morning, while the patrols conducting checks and coordinated operations will be 89.
At the same time, in Nicosia and Limassol, two police motorcyclists will participate in the patrols.
The memorandum marked “confidential” describes precisely the role of each police directorate, as well as the involvement of other services that will be called upon to contribute to the implementation of the plan.
For example, police directorates were instructed to provide members of the “Z” team, traffic police, the Crime Prevention Unit (CPU), and police stations.
It is clear from the wording of the 16-page directive that significant importance is given to the involvement of the Information Management and Analysis Service (IMAS) in the entire operation. There are specific references to how it will assist in the operational work.
Specific instructions are also given to other services on how they will act in the future. For example, members of the Headquarters Traffic Department are called upon in the 16-page directive dated 20/3/2024 to set up roadblocks on highways and check individuals.
Each department/service of the Police will conduct checks during predetermined time periods.
Moreover, according to the written instructions, there will be a rescheduling of hours for police officers who were already scheduled to perform specific duties. In simple terms, the orders given through the directive are very specific.
The 188 Force members who will form the 93 motorized patrols (including four motorcyclists) will cover a total of 36 geographical areas nationwide, which have already been determined.
Indicatively, in Nicosia, 11 areas will be covered, in Limassol 9 areas, in Larnaca 6 areas, in Paphos 5 areas, in free Famagusta 3 areas, and finally, in Morphou 2 areas.
As already noted, the 188 Police members will come from all departments of the Police.
Even staff working office hours (07:00 – 14:30) will be mobilised, as was also made known last week after trade union reactions. Indicatively, the Foreigners and Immigration Service will participate with one motorized patrol (two members), supporting the operations of the Nicosia Police Directorate. Additionally, the CYAN will be on standby.
In the written action plan, the role of senior officers is outlined.
Reference is made to the police directors of the provinces who will be responsible for drafting the action plans, as well as to those who will supervise them and will be the four assistant chiefs of police.
The latter will oversee what will happen in the six provinces (Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos, Morphou, Larnaca, and Famagusta), and they will also make on-site visits.
One assistant chief has been designated to be constantly informed about all relevant developments.
General supervision, of course, will be under the Deputy Chief of Police, Dimitris Dimitriou. The latter has also signed the related 16-page directive as the deputy chief of police.
Despite the fact that the operational plan is detailed, describing precisely the actions that will be taken by all members for its implementation, scepticism has been expressed by members of the force.
It is known, moreover, since the end of last week that issues have arisen from two police union organizations affiliated with Isotita (Equality) and ASDYK.
The main issue raised concerns the personnel working during office hours who will be called upon to perform overtime duties without receiving the corresponding compensation (they will be given the appropriate rest time instead).
It is estimated that daily the affected personnel (who work between 07:00 – 14:30) in all cities of Cyprus will exceed 20 individuals.
There are other issues being discussed among ordinary members of the force.
The view is expressed, for example, that operations will result in potential arrests and a workload that police officers from local stations, provincial traffic units, and provincial drug enforcement units will be called upon to handle.
They believe that the number of the latter might be disproportionately small to handle the workload.
Questions are also raised about police detention facilities and their overall adequacy (e.g., number of detainees, suitability, security, etc.).
