Police chief Themistos Arnaoutis met with senior officers on Friday to set the police force on course for a major overhaul as authorities push forward with a plan to modernise its structure and operations. The goal is to improve response times, enhance crime-fighting capabilities, and boost public confidence.

During the meeting, officials discussed the reorganisation, which aims to reshape the force into a more effective and technologically advanced institution. The plan is expected to take years to complete but is already moving forward with key priorities.

A major focus of the reform is improving how police respond to emergency calls. Authorities want to streamline the way calls to 112 are handled and ensure that critical incidents are dealt with by experienced officers.

“The changes will not only speed up response times but also ensure better decision-making in high-risk situations,” a police statement said.

The force will also introduce new operational strategies to tackle serious crime more efficiently. Organised crime, corruption, and violence linked to sports events are among the biggest challenges that require a stronger, more agile approach.

During the meeting, Arnaoutis expressed gratitude to President Nikos Christodoulides and Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis for their firm support in pushing through the reforms. He acknowledged that transforming the force requires significant resources and time but insisted that change is necessary to meet the evolving needs of society.

“Our goal is to build a modern organisation that can respond effectively to today’s challenges and protect the public with professionalism,” he said.

Another key aspect of the reform is the introduction of advanced technology in policing. The force plans to expand its use of data-driven crime prevention methods and strengthen its intelligence-gathering capabilities. Authorities believe that using artificial intelligence and other digital tools will allow officers to act more proactively rather than reactively.

Investing in new equipment, digital crime-fighting techniques, and better training will be crucial in achieving these goals. The vision is to create a fully modernised police force by 2030.

The reforms also address growing public expectations regarding police accessibility and transparency. Authorities are working on ways to improve community engagement and ensure that officers are better trained in handling sensitive situations.

“The role of the police is changing, and we need to adapt,” a senior officer involved in the discussions said.

“People expect a more responsive, accountable, and effective force, and we are committed to delivering that.”

While the reorganisation is expected to take time, authorities say the process will be gradual but steady, with immediate changes already underway to improve efficiency and service quality.