in-cyprus 20 December 2019 -Edited by Andreas Nicolaides
New research conducted for the Police by the University of Nicosia shows that the public believes the police is doing a poor job, as reported by Vasos Vasiliou for Phileleftheros.
The survey was conducted in October and November and used a sample of 1,000 people living in the Republic of Cyprus. In addition to the police the respondents were also called to rate four public sectors that have experienced major turbulence in recent months; the courts (judges accused of nepotism and cronyism), health services (hospitals and Gesy problems), education (teachers and student protests, reshuffling of Minister) and social services (handling of murdered women’s disappearance, 15 year-old student’s suicide).
The data shows that people want stronger police presence as only 3% of respondents believe that there is policing to a great extent, 24% believe there is enough policing, 43% say not enough and a 30% say none at all.
On a scale 1-5 the courts received a rating of 2.9, the police 2.86, the health sector 2.71, education 2.59 and social services 2.54.
On which areas require more policing, 84% of respondents said schools, 83% said urban areas / city centres, 79% said areas with nightlife establishments, 74% said busy areas (squares, commercial town centres / streets), 71% the road network, and 65% suburban areas. A 60% said the buffer zone, 47% for beaches, and a 42% said villages / rural areas.
37% of participants believe that police priority should be drug-related crime, 36% said crime against people, 30% property-related crime, a 26% prioritised road safety, 18% the protection of citizens and a 9% said narcotest and alcotest checks.
Asked if they have been in contact with the police in the last 12 months, a whopping 76% responded affirmatively. Half of those did so to file a complaint.
On how safe they feel in their neighbourhood, a 28% said they do not experience any problems, 24% mentioned problems with break-ins and burglaries, 23% say they have noise pollution, 15% reckless driving, 11% cite issues with immigrants / illegal immigration, 6% drug-related problems, 5% with robberies, 4% dangerous road network, 4% say vandalisms, 3% anti-social behaviour and youth crime, 1% lack of policing, 1% murder, 1% prostitution and 1% arson.
All age groups feel that there is a lack of sufficient policing. Ages 19-24 feel there is sufficient policing at a rate of 1%, while 29% feel there is policing to a good degree, 44% say not enough and 26% say none at all.
Ages 25-44 feel there is sufficient policing at a rate of 1%, 21% feel there is policing to a good degree, 46% say not enough and 32% say none at all. Ages 45-64 feel there is sufficient policing at a rate of 2%, while 21% feel there is policing to a good degree, 44% say not enough and 33% say none at all. Ages of 65 and above say there is sufficient policing at a rate of 6%, 19% feel there is policing to a good degree, 44% say not enough and 31% say none at all.
On a district level, Nicosia residents feel very safe at a rate of 25%, 58% feel safe enough, 12% feel a little safe and a 5% not at all safe. Limassolians feel very safe by 20%, 62% feel safe enough, 14% feel a little safe and a 4% not at all safe. Larnaca feels very safe by 25%, 54% feel safe enough, 16% feel a little safe and a 5% not at all safe. In Famagusta people feel very safe at a rate of 20%, 54% feel safe enough, 22% feel a little safe and a 5% not at all safe, and Paphos feels 16% very safe, 42% safe enough, 29% a little safe and 13% not at all safe.
Opinion poll by Nicosia University and IMR "Police today, the level of security it provides, the evaluation of its work and services through the eyes of the public
The Chief of Police, Mr. Michael Michaelides, expressed his particular satisfaction with the positive
assessment of the citizens on the Police, based on the results of a nationwide survey of public
opinion on security levels, work and services. The Chief of Police particularly emphasized the
findings of the survey which show that citizens credit the Police with continuous improvement,
despite the events that have occurred, and still rank it highly among other relevant institutions and
services of the state, in terms of trust and confidence. efficiency.
All these elements, said Mr. Michaelides, are an incentive for police members, because, as he said,
All these elements, said Mr. Michaelides, are an incentive for police members, because, as he said,
they reflect the daily efforts made by police to protect and serve citizens.
The public opinion survey was conducted by IMR - University of Nicosia, on a Cyprus-wide
The public opinion survey was conducted by IMR - University of Nicosia, on a Cyprus-wide
basis in October and November, with a sample of 1000 people. The results were presented by
Konstantinos Fellas, Vice-Rector of Academic Personnel and Research at the University of
Nicosia, Lecturer in Law Antonis Stylianou and IMR Managing Director Christina Kokkalis,
who led the discussion. Both the Chief of Police and the President of the Board of the Nicosia
University Nicos Kartakoulis addressed the presentation.
In his concluding remarks, the Chief of Police underlined that the elements of the investigation
In his concluding remarks, the Chief of Police underlined that the elements of the investigation
would be appropriately exploited, as areas were identified where there was scope for
improvement, such as nuisance, burglary, theft, as well as an increase in the response of Police
Station members and first line where the vast majority of citizens are.
The most important elements of the survey can be summarized as follows:
Citizens feel very or very safe (78%), while 16% feel a bit safe and 6% at all.
A significant 28% say they do not have any security problems in their areas of residence. The
The most important elements of the survey can be summarized as follows:
Citizens feel very or very safe (78%), while 16% feel a bit safe and 6% at all.
A significant 28% say they do not have any security problems in their areas of residence. The
problems that cause insecurity to citizens are mainly theft, burglary, nuisance and dangerous
driving, which is expressed by about 20 - 30% of citizens. In relation to the most serious
crimes, such as drug trafficking, robberies and malicious damage, 4 - 6% of the population
expresses insecurity. Very serious crime, such as murder, is a source of insecurity for only 1%
of citizens.
It is also generally assessed the level of policing which, on the basis of survey data, is
It is also generally assessed the level of policing which, on the basis of survey data, is
considered to be sufficient at 27%, not as much as 43% and not at all for 30% of the population.
The need for more policing is becoming more specific than the answers people give to specific
questions. It mainly concerns the areas around the schools, the city center, the entertainment
venues, busy areas and squares and the road network.
The overall image of the police in the perception of the public is positive. Among related
The overall image of the police in the perception of the public is positive. Among related
institutions or services, it has an average rating of 2.86 - with a rating of 5. It ranks second in rating,
very close to the first one of the Courts of 2.90, and maintains a better overall picture than other
important government agencies. . The police have a similar assessment in terms of confidence and
efficiency.
An important element of the investigation is the fact that despite the recent events, the citizens
An important element of the investigation is the fact that despite the recent events, the citizens
are positively evaluating the Police's efforts for continuous improvement. In particular, 47% of
citizens think that it has improved a little bit, quite a bit or too much, 43% that it remains
stagnant and only 8% that it has worsened. Various areas are evaluated, the most improved
being technological upgrading, information, public relations, specialization, responsiveness and
professionalism.
Citizens expect the Police to have the following main priorities in their mission: to combat drugs,
Citizens expect the Police to have the following main priorities in their mission: to combat drugs,
very serious crimes such as murder, violence, injuries, burglaries, arson and road safety.
An important point is that 24% of citizens have been in contact with the Police in the last 12
An important point is that 24% of citizens have been in contact with the Police in the last 12
months. They did so mainly to report (52%), to provide information (17%), to protest (13%)
and to receive information (7%). Another 7% to pay a fine. The overwhelming majority of
citizens turned to the Police Station (67%). 17% did so through the emergency telephone line,
or the citizen line.
The degree of service from these contacts is also assessed: Very or quite satisfied, 47% and little
The degree of service from these contacts is also assessed: Very or quite satisfied, 47% and little
21%. A 32% are not satisfied. Citizens are aware of the Citizen Helpline, the Emergency
Helpline and the Drug Helpline.
In his concluding remarks, the Chief of Police thanked the University of Nicosia and IMR for the
In his concluding remarks, the Chief of Police thanked the University of Nicosia and IMR for the
valuable assistance they provided in conducting the investigation.
At the same time, he thanked all the conscientious members of the Police who work daily,
At the same time, he thanked all the conscientious members of the Police who work daily,
tirelessly and zealously, as a result of these very good under the circumstances, results, noting
that the effort does not stop here, continues with perseverance, in a way that in any case, to provide
the best possible service to citizens, who can live in a favored state where they feel completely safe.
