Filenews 13 December 2025 - by Petros Afxentiou
The many incidents of delinquency during the summer tourist season in the free province of Famagusta and the increased policing needs were highlighted by MPs Giannakis Gabriel, Nikos Kettiros and Giorgos Koukoumas.
The MPs asked the Minister of Justice to inform them about his actions to strengthen the Famagusta Police Directorate, but also whether the possibility of creating a tourist police, which is trained and oriented in the part related to tourism, has been studied. As they noted, the large number of visitors received by the area does not correspond to the structure and staffing of the competent services, as a result of which additional support is required, especially in the field of Police.
The shortcomings in the Police
The former Minister, Mr. Hartsiotis, clarified that, despite the total of 830 vacancies in the Police (395 Police Officers and 435 Special Police Officers) and the increased needs due to the process of Cyprus' accession to the Schengen area, the Famagusta Police Directorate was strengthened in 2025 with 16 probationary police officers.
At the same time, from June to September, between 21:00 and 05:00, the area was supported by a motorized patrol of the MMAD, while in the peak months (July and August) the reinforcement was increased to two patrols. In addition, the Famagusta Directorate received assistance from the Traffic Department of the Headquarters for road safety issues, including alcohol controls.
Every day, during peak hours, four additional overtime members were also appointed. As the Minister states, with the gradual filling of the vacancies, further strengthening of the Directorate is expected in the coming years.
In relation to the possibility of creating a tourist police, Mr. Hartsiotis reminded that the Municipalities Law of 2022 allows the establishment of a municipal police, with responsibility for tourism policing as well. The Union of Municipalities, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, has prepared a relevant bill, which is in the process of being processed after the submission of comments by the stakeholders and is expected to be forwarded soon.
What equipment they will bring and when they will be able to capture
The municipal Police, according to the legislative framework under discussion, will be able to arrest only in cases of attack against its members. In such incidents, offenders will be immediately handed over to the State Police for further action.
The members of the service will be trained by the State Police and will carry exclusively defensive equipment. Under no circumstances are they provided to carry weapons or use offensive equipment.
The powers that the municipal Police will have
The new service will be administratively subordinate to the Municipalities and its goal is to relieve the state Police of specific administrative and supervisory duties. The bill sets out a number of responsibilities, including:
- Implementation of the Municipalities Laws
- Scrutiny of public health issues and anti-smoking legislation
- Setting of service station hours
- Control of the sale and consumption of alcohol
- Protection of beaches and prevention of arbitrary uses
- Dealing with pollution of public spaces
- Supervision of bicycle traffic and local traffic regulations
- Implementation of the legislation on the Special Regulation of Offences
Each Municipality will be able to determine its individual priorities, adjusting them according to the needs and particularities of its area. In addition, according to the same framework, existing traffic wardens can keep their positions, without being forced to move to the new service.
