The philosophy of the Cyprus Police is defined by a human-centric approach which is also an integral part of its policy and practice, Police Chief Stelios Papatheodorou said on Sunday at the opening of the ‘Police Week’, aiming at introducing to members of the public the work and the role of the Force.
The aim, according to Papatheodorou, is to communicate with citizens, young and old, and for the public to get to know several aspects of the operation and mission of the Police.
During the event, at the Traffic Education Park, in Nicosia, hundreds of people, including many children had the opportunity to see up close Police vehicles, boats and helicopters, police dog demonstrations and learn more about the Force’s work.
In his speech at the opening of the ‘Police Week’ Papatheodorou said that the Cyprus Police’s mandate is law enforcement, but at the same time, it is “a human-centric organisation with a very large humanitarian contribution.” He noted that all over the world, police personnel put their lives at risk to help people, and that, also in Cyprus, “the vast majority of our members are distinguished by self-sacrifice, diligence and social sensitivity.” He added that the Cyprus Police, “constitutes one of the largest public organisations” with 24 different Services/Departments/Units/Directorates, with infrastructure across the country, covering the entire scope of the duties of a national Police.
Papatheodorou also referred to the foreign policy of the Police, which, he said, is based on the fight against terrorism and radicalisation, on dealing with serious and organised crime, on improving the level of road safety, on effective border policing and on the regulation of issues on irregular migration.
In her address, Justice Minister, Stephie Dracos, said that said that through this week the Police will have the opportunity “to show their human face”, as in the perception of the citizens, especially young people, a stricter image of the Police usually prevails “since it is the authority that is called upon to impose the law and to maintain order and security.”
The Minister said that they want better cooperation between the public and the Police and, in achieving this goal, they have proceeded with the implementation of institutions, such as the Neighbourhood Police, but also the Bicycle Police, while, soon, she added, they are proceeding with a pilot project, ‘the local councils’, in which representatives of the schools, the local authorities, the civil society, among others, will participate. She noted that this was yet another policy for encouraging cooperation between society and crime prevention institutions, in the context of promoting and deepening participatory society.
As part of the event, and with the aim of raising awareness among citizens on road safety issues, an exhibition with photographs by CNA, of fatal road collisions is also hosted. The photos, which were selected by the Traffic Headquarters and edited by the “Orasis” photography association, were provided by the journalist and correspondent of CNA in Limassol, Stavros Koniotis.
On Sunday, activities at the Traffic Education Park, were open to the public, but, between Monday and Friday, the site will only be open for visits from schools. In the coming days, approximately 650 primary and secondary education pupils from 17 schools, are expected to visit.
Source: Cyprus News Agency