Filenews 13 May 2021
British Base Police confirmed the receipt of six new armoured vehicles, with another expected to arrive before the end of May.
The new vehicles can be used by the Force's fully trained armed police officers during regular patrols and in cases that officials call "critical high-risk incidents" when needed.
Trained police officers have been able to hold weapons since 2006 and the delivery of armoured vehicles has ensured that both training and equipment are now fully aligned with the Force.
Speaking shortly after the vehicles were delivered this week, B. Director Mustafa Kemal, who is at the B.B. Police Headquarters in Episkopi, explained why this latest upgrade is so important to the police.
He said: "The purchase of armoured vehicles is an extremely important step forward for the UK Police Force because it will not only provide more support and protection to the communities we serve, but also to our own officers.
"We are asking our armed police officers to put themselves in danger during a potentially life-threatening situation and we now know that they will be able to use these vehicles for their own protection if necessary."
Despite the upgrade of the vehicles and the new feature, Director Kemal wanted to stress that they would not be kept in reserve pending a serious incident.
He continued: "While the vehicles will be used by armed police officers, they will still be used for regular police work, carrying out patrols, community visits and anything else that police officers undertake while on duty.
"The only difference is that we can call them in case of a serious incident. I would also like to assure our communities that there is no change in the threat, but that this is further proof that the B.B. police will be there to protect them if asked to do so.''
