The president of the Cyprus Police Association, Lefteris Kyriakou, stressed the urgent need for modern equipment and highlighted the call for tasers against hooligans as a priority measure. He argued that officers are often criticised as ineffective while in reality they risk facing Molotov cocktails, rockets or flares without the proper tools to respond.
Proposal for modern policing tools
Mr Kyriakou said a study was submitted to police leadership at the end of July on the equipment required for riot police and officers dealing with violent incidents. The report included how tasers are used across the EU and in developed countries, with the findings delivered to the police chief. The association proposed setting up a committee of experienced officers to evaluate the data and move forward with the purchase of tasers.
Balancing safety and effectiveness
He underlined that the issue is twofold- effectiveness in tackling disorder and the safety of police officers, who risk not returning home from duty because of attacks from hooligans.
According to Kyriakou, tasers have been standard issue in the US and the UK since 2003 and are also used in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Israel. They are considered non-lethal weapons that can prevent violent situations or act as a deterrent simply through their presence. However, he stressed that training is vital, and only specially trained officers should use tasers under strict protocols. Every use must be followed by medical checks for the person affected.
Past and present developments
The police union president noted that tasers were once imported in small numbers for testing but were never rolled out due to a lack of legislation. With rising lawlessness, he said, the need for modern tools is urgent so that officers can be more effective while avoiding serious injuries.
He also welcomed a recent court ruling giving police and firefighters the right to vote and stand as candidates in elections. The union supports the change, provided officers temporarily step aside before elections and resign if elected.
Call for tougher penalties
Kyriakou further praised a draft law submitted by MP Nikos Georgiou to the House Legal Affairs Committee for tougher penalties for assaults against police and public officials. He said this is something the union has long demanded, hoping MPs will approve it quickly as violence against officers has increased.
The Cyprus Police Association, he concluded, remains in open communication with leadership and political authorities, who are responding positively to most of their requests.
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