Justice Minister Costas Fitiris is set to meet with police union representatives on Friday, January 2, to address important security matters along with ongoing discussions about working hours and holiday adjustments. These topics have been publicly criticised by various advocacy groups.
Minister’s Call for Constructive Dialogue
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Fitiris emphasised the need for fulfilling obligations towards society responsibly. He stated, “Our obligations towards society must be fulfilled fully and responsibly. The claims and demands of the staff can and must be raised through institutional dialogue and the prescribed procedures, not through public confrontations that negatively affect the main mission.”
Concerns Raised by Police Unions
Fitiris, who assumed his role following a ministerial reshuffle on December 8, condemned the “unacceptable generalisations” made by the unions regarding police leadership. He urged all parties to work towards a “common direction” to ensure public safety.
On the other hand, following the announcement of a new police reform plan by Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis, the unions expressed strong criticism. They described the plan as “a blatant circumvention of labour institutions with unprecedented practices and tactics,” highlighting their concerns about potential changes to working hours.
Anticipation Surrounding the Upcoming Meeting
Nikos Loizides, head of the police branch of the Isotita trade union, expressed his expectations regarding the meeting with Fitiris. Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), he said, “If the government agreed, the police officers will be informed that the government agreed with the [police] chief; if it did not agree, it will show that there is a huge gap between them.”
Meanwhile, police spokesperson Vyronas Vyronas dismissed the unions’ objections to the reform plan, stating that no meetings had yet been scheduled between the unions and Arnaoutis to discuss the matter. He emphasised that the chief was not in conflict with the police officers, asserting that applying “rational criteria” to improve police functioning is within the chief’s duties.
Proposed Changes and Union Reactions
The unions have voiced their discontent over proposed changes that include adjustments to daily working schedules, along with a significant reduction in officers’ rest days from 19.5 to 4.7 days. Vyronas responded to the criticism by clarifying that overtime work would not be abolished but rather applied only when genuinely necessary. He noted that instances of overtime abuse had been observed.
Moreover, he explained that after filling vacancies, the decision to implement a 37.5-hour working week had been made, which aligns with an agreement reached with the unions back in 2019. The reform proposal aims to address the needs of staff covering shifts of 12-36 hours, who have been working 40-hour weeks due to extraordinary circumstances like the pandemic and existing vacancies.
Addressing Broader Issues in Policing
Fitiris assured that he would engage in a “comprehensive mapping” of issues concerning both the police and the prisons department. He highlighted the need for all involved to prioritise their responsibilities towards society, stating that necessary sacrifices must be made to ensure public safety and the smooth operation of prisons.
Recent months have seen the prisons department in the spotlight due to serious grievances, including alleged rape cases and two inmate murders in December, alongside allegations of organised crime. A recent report from a European Council committee on the prevention of torture pointed out “serious problems” at Cyprus’s central prison in Nicosia.
Fitiris’ Vision for Reform
Fitiris articulated the aim to find “substantial, realistic and applicable solutions” that would serve as the foundation for targeted interventions and decisions. He stressed the importance of a “unified spirit from the base of the ordinary police officer or prison guard to the top of the pyramid” to ensure the effective implementation of necessary measures.
According to Fitiris, any deviation from this collective spirit could yield negative results and threaten the very existence of the institutions involved. He acknowledged the need for reform in the police force, which Arnaoutis has proposed through measures designed to enhance operational capacity, better allocate police forces, and introduce significant technological upgrades by 2030.
Modernising the Police Force
Arnaoutis described the current policing model as outdated, containing elements from the colonial period. A key priority in his reform proposal is establishing a modern coordination centre, for which the police is reportedly close to signing a contract with a private company. This centre is expected to function as a command, control, and communication system and will manage emergency calls via the international emergency number 112.
The upcoming meeting between Fitiris and police union representatives is anticipated to clarify the government’s position on these reforms and address the ongoing concerns from the police unions. The outcomes of this dialogue may significantly influence the future of policing in Cyprus.
