police reform — Police reform initiatives, including changes in working hours, will be up for discussion at the House legal affairs committee next week, as announced by committee chairman and Disy MP Nicos Tornaritis.
- In light of these discussions, the decision to implement a 37.5-hour workweek was made after filling vacancies, a change that was initially agreed upon with the unions in 2019.
During the upcoming meeting, police chief Themistos Arnaoutis will present his recent proposals, which have sparked considerable debate among police unions. Tornaritis highlighted that the committee is also expecting a presentation of the police’s organisational chart and broader safety initiatives, which will be examined alongside the proposed reforms.
Representatives from the justice ministry, police, and police unions will be present at the meeting. The Cyprus Police Association (CPA) has been proactive in addressing the proposed reforms, with its president, Angelos Nikolaou, stating that the association has requested discussions with all parliamentary parties to voice their concerns.
The police unions have expressed strong opposition to Arnaoutis’s proposal, claiming that the changes would significantly alter daily working hours and reduce officers’ rest days from 19.5 to just 4.7 per month. This drastic reduction is seen as detrimental to the wellbeing of police officers and the overall effectiveness of the police force.
Police spokesman Vyron Vyronos responded to the unions’ criticisms by asserting that Arnaoutis is not at odds with police officers. He clarified that the reforms aim to apply rational criteria to enhance police operations and are not designed to eliminate overtime work, but rather to limit it to essential cases, citing previous instances of misuse.
In light of these discussions, the decision to implement a 37.5-hour workweek was made after filling vacancies, a change that was initially agreed upon with the unions in 2019.
On Monday, the CPA met with Disy president Annita Demetriou and other Disy MPs to address the serious implications that these reforms pose for labour rights and the wellbeing of police officers. They discussed how these changes might impact the proper functioning and effectiveness of the police force.
Voicing further dissent, Nikos Loizides, Vice President of the Isotita union’s police branch, labelled the reform plans as “an executive administrative act that violates the core of the rule of law.” He warned of potential legal action, indicating that his statements serve as a preliminary warning regarding the matter.
It has been noted that the secretary general of the European police union Eurocop is expected to comment on the situation and visit Cyprus in late January, indicating that the issue has drawn international attention.
As it stands, the specifics of Arnaoutis’s proposal remain unclear, as no official documentation has been released. The details that have surfaced primarily stem from union criticisms, leaving many questions unanswered ahead of the committee’s discussions.
