Nicosia:The new Cyprus Police Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (DAOE) is now fully operational, according to an announcement made by Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis and DAOE Director Christos Andreou during a press conference at Police Headquarters. This development is part of the extensive 'Police 2030' initiative aimed at enhancing police effectiveness.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the DAOE is not just an administrative alteration but a significant transformation in how the police handle information, analysis, technology, financial investigations, and international collaborations to tackle serious and organized crime.
At the conference, Chief Arnaoutis explained that the DAOE was established to respond to the evolving nature of criminal threats, which now involve more flexible operations, technological leverage, and international connections. The goal is to dismantle criminal networks, sever their financial resources, and preempt criminal activities where possible.
The DAOE aims to centralize critical operational capabilities, linking intelligence gathering, analysis, and operational actions more closely. It encompasses intelligence assessment, operational investigations, data analysis, financial investigations, technology use, and international cooperation, drawing from the experience of the Drug Enforcement Service to combat a broad range of serious and organized crimes.
Director Andreou described the DAOE's structure, which consists of four Sub-Directorates: Intelligence and Special Operations, Narcotics Enforcement, Organized Crime Investigation, and Strategic Analysis, International, and European Relations. The new approach focuses holistically on criminal networks, their financing, international ties, and the financial benefits that sustain their activities. Intelligence-led policing is a cornerstone, with decisions based on evidence-based analysis and risk assessment.
The DAOE's mission extends beyond handling known cases, aiming to identify and track criminal networks, emerging trends, and threats. It aspires to be an analysis hub for organized crime, providing the police with updated threat assessments for more targeted interventions.
International cooperation plays a crucial role in DAOE's strategy, with collaborations with Europol, European EMPACT initiatives, and direct partnerships with law enforcement agencies worldwide, including the Hellenic Police and other European police authorities.
During the press conference, the possibility of using telephone monitoring as a tool against organized crime was discussed. Chief Arnaoutis noted that this capability currently requires legislative approval, emphasizing that while wiretaps are valuable, they are not the sole method for combating organized crime. He urged that the decision now lies with the politicians and parties in Parliament.
Arnaoutis also mentioned ongoing efforts to secure a dedicated building for the DAOE, though he reassured that its current operations are unaffected by the lack of a separate facility.