Filenews 7 July 2022
Positive data about the Cyprus Police seem to emerge from the results of a public opinion investigation into the Police, its role and mission, stressed the Chief of Police Stelios Papatheodorou.
In his address at the presentation of the results of the research carried out by the IMR Organization / University of Nicosia, in all the districts of free Cyprus, between the months of March - April 2022, Mr. Papatheodorou referred, among other things, to the high rates of detection of cases of drugs, murders - attempted murder and rape - attempted rape in the last two years.
At 95.8% the drug detection rate
In relation to the fight against the scourge of drugs for 2021, the case resolution rate reaches 95.8%. Specifically, out of the 861 cases under investigation, 825 people have been arrested, some of them, in fact, were members of criminal groups and were long-standing targets of the Police. As far as seizures are concerned, Y.KA.N. managed to seize about 240 kg of cannabis, 190 cannabis plants as well as 5 kg of cocaine. "These quantities of seizures are a strong indication of the Police's commitment to the greatest possible restriction of the quantities of drugs trafficked illegally in the market and the arrest and bringing to justice, of traffickers and traffickers of illegal substances," the Chief of Police said.
Murders, road collisions
"The detection rates in the cases of murder and attempted murder, as well as rape and attempted rape for the year 2021, are also high, at rates that exceed 90%, sending a clear message to those who carry out these unlawful acts.
"We are also focusing on another equally important pillar that concerns the prevention of road collisions and the cultivation of road awareness. We are intensifying, together with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the Road Safety Council, our efforts on many levels. We place particular emphasis on the enhanced presence of the Police in the black spots of the road network and especially where fatal collisions occur most often. In fact, the establishment of the 'Z' motorcycle team in the districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos and Larnaca with the aim of the continuous presence of members of the Police on the road network shows precisely that the safeguarding of human life is at the heart of our mission and priorities."
Irregular migration
Regarding irregular migration, which Mr. Papatheodorodotou described as a serious problem, he referred to the concerted efforts made jointly with the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the Ministry of Interior in order to find appropriate solutions for its effective treatment. "In this context, we welcome the adoption of the Bill and the Regulations for the creation of a Subdirectorate for the Surveillance of the Green Line and for the Treatment of Migration Flows, staffed with 300 new Contracted Special Police Officers. The main task of the members of the Sub-Directorate will be to monitor the green line, limit migratory flows from the occupied areas, guard and guard the accommodation centres, reception areas as well as detention facilities," he added.
Expulsions of third-country nationals
At the same time, the Police attaches particular importance to the issue of deportations from the Republic of Cyprus. "For the sake of truth, in the year 2021, 2594 people have been deported, while from January 01, 2022 until July 01, 2022, 2774 people have been deported from the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, demonstrating the significant increase in deportees, but also the coordinated and intensive efforts made to address the phenomenon", the Chief noted.
Surveillance of the implementation of coronavirus measures
"In addition to our police duties, during these two years, the Police have been called upon to supervise and ensure the implementation of the measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, as they result from the issuance of the relevant Decrees, which are issued from time to time by the Minister of Health on the basis of the Infectious Diseases Law. The Police as one of the various bodies that were obliged to contribute to the implementation of the Decrees, in the context of its other multiple tasks, and according to a report by the Auditor General on this matter, responded to a very satisfactory degree."
