Filenews 28 April 2021
Five armored vans that will safely transport police officers to conflict points or places where incidents may break out or break up gatherings will be procured by the Police.
A reference to vehicles is made in response to a question from the Member of Parliament (last period) Mr Giorgos Loukidis. According to the notice, the cost of buying the five vans is €350,000. The vehicles will replace Pajero (4x4) vehicles which were deemed not to provide safety to anti-nuisance groups.
In her reply, Mrs Yolitis quotes an update from the Chief of Police to which the following are mentioned:
-The need arose in the year 2018 and concerns the replacement of the old transport vehicles of the Pajero (4x4) personnel which are used to date and do not provide members with the necessary protection and safety. The new vehicles will be van type, and will be used solely for the transport of personnel. -They can carry up to 8 people with their personal equipment. These vehicles will not carry any additional equipment but will be properly configured to provide security for members to be transported from any attacks. Similar vehicles use other advanced European countries, such as Germany, France, England, Greece, Poland.
-Market planning was included in the revised 2018 Multiannual National Programme for the European Union Internal Security Fund.
-The annual budget has always included appropriations for the purchase of anti-nuisance equipment, operational equipment, rescue and diving materials. The gradual procurement of personal anti-nuisance shields is needed to replace part of the existing units of the Motor Direct Action Unit (MMAD) and the Police Directorates, purchased in 2003, 2004 and 2010, which are outdated and quite worn out and must be withdrawn.
-The Police, as the Security Corps, has as its main task, as it derives from the Constitution and the relevant laws, the maintenance and preservation of peace and the legal order and in general to ensure the smooth functioning of the Republic.
The provision of personal equipment and equipment to members of the Police is an absolute necessity for a modern Agency to be on operational readiness.
By extension, the purchase of new equipment, the renewal of the existing equipment and/or its modernisation, stems from the occasional needs for upgrading the equipment, replacing older equipment, granting new members individual equipment, supplementing our various stocks, personal issue of equipment to police officers for hygiene purposes.
