Filenews 21 March 2023
They took the oath of the policeman, put on the uniform and sat at the desks for nine weeks, the 221 contracted special police officers, who were hired exclusively to control the migratory flows from the occupied territories.
After the swearing-in ceremony held yesterday, the 221 police officers will be trained for nine weeks and then take up their duties immediately. According to the Police, the 221 special police officers will be divided into three groups. More specifically, one team will be trained at the Police Academy, another at the Motorized Direct Action Unit and the third at the Aliens and Immigration Service, alternately, for the period of nine weeks of training. The aim is, like the special police officers, within these nine weeks to train them on how to handle migrants, the use of weapons and how to make arrests. At the end of their training and depending on the needs of the Force, they will undertake duties in all districts except Limassol.
Among other things, they will carry out guard and patrol tasks along the Green Line, as well as at other points at the external borders, mainly to manage and respond to migratory flows. They will also perform tasks for:
⦁ the coverage and/or surveillance of possible crossing points of irregular migrants across the Green Line;
⦁ screening irregular migrants to identify any smugglers and terrorists;
⦁ the transport, movement and escorting of migrants,
⦁ guarding and guarding accommodation centres, hotspots and detention facilities for irregular migrants;
⦁ the deportation of irregular migrants.
During the swearing-in ceremony, the Chief of Police, Stelios Papatheodorou, told them that "today you take on a heavy responsibility. You are committed to defending the security, democracy and legitimacy of our state. You must show commitment and faith in this commitment. You must carry out your duties with selflessness, determination, self-denial and objectivity. In addition, he asked them to always keep in mind that the issue of illegal immigration is serious with adverse effects on the economy, prosperity and security of our country. Based on this factor, you are invited to help."
It is noted that 401 people applied for the position of special police officer, of which 255 met the criteria, while the number reduced to 221 after the physical examinations, to which they were subjected.
