Filenews 4 July 2025 - by Ioanna Kyriakou
The Ministry of Justice and Public Order is in the Ministry of Justice and Public Order for consultation on the draft law prepared by the Union of Municipalities for the institutionalization of the Municipal Police. The proposal, which was presented today by the President of the Union of Municipalities and Mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, aims to strengthen public safety and local governance, improve the quality of life of citizens and serve citizens more effectively. The Municipal Police will operate on a 24-hour basis and its members will work in shifts.
Specifically, the daily issues that will be dealt with are illegal parking and traffic congestion, illegal commercial activities, noise pollution and pollution, illegal waste dumping, encroachment on beaches and public lands and the immediate treatment of chronic problems. The enhancement of the security of citizens will be achieved through the visible presence of the Municipal Police in public places, while its members will be able to intervene in cases of petty crime, pollution and lawlessness.
What equipment they will bring and when they will arrest
The Municipal Police will be able to make arrests only in the event that its members are attacked and the offenders will be taken to the police stations for further investigation. In addition, the members of the municipal Police will receive training from the State Police, they will bring with them defensive equipment and not offensive equipment, while in no case will they carry weapons.
The powers they will have
According to Mr. Vyras, the Municipal Police will be subordinate to each Municipality and will not replace the State Police, but will relieve it of certain administrative issues. Specifically, the bill provides for enforcement powers for Municipal Laws, public health and anti-smoking law, regulation of gas station hours, sale and consumption of alcohol, protection of beaches – prevention of arbitrary uses, pollution of public spaces, bicycle traffic and local traffic regulations and implementation of the Law on Special Regulation of Offences. It is noted that it is up to each Municipality to define its priorities and adapt them based on the particularities of each area. In addition, it became clear that based on the legislation under discussion, the existing traffic wardens will be able to keep their positions and will not be obliged to move to the new service of the Municipal Police.
They are waiting for Hartsiotis for costing
Mr. Vyras clarified that the costing of the project will take place when the final position of the competent Ministries is submitted, assuring that the finances of the Municipalities are not at risk. He noted that if and if the competent Ministry and the Parliament approve the bill, then similar funds should be transferred to the municipalities. However, the Minister of Justice, Marios Hartsiotis, speaking this morning to State Radio on the issue, said that there is no difference of opinion on the principle, describing it as a "pleasant step" and adding that the creation of the institution will give the opportunity for better control to the Municipalities.
