Hands off police business, deputies told

NEW police chief Andreas Angelides warned politicians to stop meddling in police business during heated exchanges at yesterday’s House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Crime.

In his first meeting with deputies Angelides set the record straight during a rowdy debate on police promotions, transfers and disciplinary procedures.

He warned deputies to be especially cautious when trying to make political capital out of such procedures as they would be in danger of violating the constitution.

“We can’t have intervention every time there is a simple transfer from one department to another… you must allow us to do our job properly,” said Angelides.

Earlier the committee continued its probe into corruption allegations against former Larnaca police chief Andreas Minas, accused of being in the pockets of cabaret owners.

Minas came face to face with his accuser – officer Stelios Parpas – yesterday and said his hands were clean.

“I haven’t even got five cents worth of dirty money in my pocket after 18 years of unblemished service,” said Minas.

The Council of Ministers is expected to appoint an investigator to investigate the allegations against Minas.

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