Cyprus police and bases carry out joint training exercise

Cyprus’ police completed a week-long joint training with the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) negotiating team for the fourth year in a row.

The exercise involved a large-scale operation in Paralimni, with a number of specialized teams to tackle a simulated bank robbery, an attack on a university accommodation block and a hostage situation.

“This type of exercise, working alongside the Cyprus Police, ensures our skills are current but it also prepares us to work better together in the event of any real hostage siege situation,” said SBA police chief constable, Chris Eyre.

Chief Inspector Maria Atalioti, who headed-up the negotiating team, added: “It was extremely valuable for both forces. We currently have a team of three qualified hostage negotiators and CyPol has a team of 37 negotiators.

“For the last four years we have established a very close co-operation with their hostage negotiator team and our aim is to strengthen our capabilities in hostage negotiation in an effort to make Cyprus safer for all.”