Police union demands reinstatement of suspended officers

The independent union of Cyprus’ public employees (ASDYK) and its police branch have called on the police leadership on Saturday to “immediately reconsider” the suspension of 12 officers in connection with the unauthorised departure of a boat with 61 migrants that was being held at the Kato Paphos harbour.

Their suspension will “affect the already understaffed management”, the union said.

The decision was taken pending investigations into the departure without permission on Thursday evening of a boat with 11 women, 22 men and 28 children aged between two and 16, reportedly Syrian and Lebanese nationals.

The group arrived on Wednesday, saying they started their journey from Tripoli, Lebanon, and their destination was Italy but they ended up in Cyprus due to the bad weather. Authorities said they were asked if they wanted to file for asylum protection, but the group said they wanted to reach Italy.

Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said there will be no problem with Italy for letting the migrants depart for Rome since the migrants have expressed their desire to leave.

The authority of the police leadership is “questionable”, the union’s announcement added, saying that some disciplinary cases are stricter than others.

In the case where the hiring of 100 officers was nullified, where there is a court decision and “clear responsibilities against high-ranking members of the police”, the force’s leadership was unwilling to conduct an investigation and take responsibility, the union added.

Authorities had decided to not appeal an administrative court decision nullifying the hiring of 75 police officers and 25 firemen earlier this month. However, they will reassess and correct flaws in the procedure followed according to the attorney general Giorgos Savvides.

Meanwhile, recent reports said the 100 officers will also retake the psychometric exams since their previous test, which was conducted by a private company, was deemed illegal.

Police were also reported this week saying there is a need to recruit 600 officers.