Police corruption claims involving alleged cooperation between officers and criminal elements have been filed with Cyprus’ Anti-Corruption Authority, according to a report by Politis.
The complaint alleged that police officers were working with criminal figures who were unlawfully using the Police’s telecommunications and information systems to search for data and documents.
The Anti-Corruption Authority rejected the complaint, however, because it was anonymous and it was not possible to contact the person who submitted it to obtain additional information.
Police systems leave electronic records
Speaking to SigmaLive about the matter, Nikos Loizidis, President of the Police Branch of the ISOTITA trade union, said complaints against police officers are investigated on a daily basis, accounting for around 35%-40% of cases.
Regarding access to the Police’s telecommunications and information systems, Loizidis said safeguards are in place and electronic records are created.
He explained that every police officer has two unique codes used to access a computer and the Police’s electronic information system.
Each officer, he added, has access to specific sections of the system.
The codes make it possible to identify which member of the Police accessed the system and determine the actions they carried out.
Asked whether checks are conducted, Loizidis replied that they are, adding that access permissions for individual officers are also reviewed and updated.
He noted that investigations into criminal and disciplinary offences involving police officers had also been carried out in the past.
Regarding the complaint submitted to the Anti-Corruption Authority, he said it appeared to be vague and anonymous, which was why it had been rejected.
“If there is a complaint, it must be investigated,” he stressed.
Justice Minister: Police must be ‘cleaned up’
Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris told RIK that he would not allow any complaint concerning police officers to go without investigation.
The matter, he said, would be examined, stressing that the established practice is to investigate all complaints.
Fytiris said that more than 10 police officers had been suspended over the past six months for violating their oath of office.
He added that officers who are convicted will leave the force.
“There is no other way; the Police must be cleaned up,” he said.
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