NEW police chief Iacovos Papacostas yesterday outlined his vision and strategy plan for the next four years, including concrete proposals to improve the force’s relationship with the public, as well as its members.
Speaking to reporters during his first news conference as chief, Papacostas outlined 24 basic pillars on which the new leadership planned to base its 2007-2011 strategy plan, including improving public services, utilising retired officers’ expertise, relaying clear and direct information to citizens, and clamping down on road safety, drugs, crime, illegal hunting, hooliganism and illegal immigration.
“As of today, Cyprus’ police force will stop standing opposite citizens and instead take a place by their side,” he said.
Papacostas said police would try to improve their communication with the public and to keep victims of crime better informed as to how their case was developing.
“Soon we’ll introduce a system whereby citizens can evaluate police services… We will also examine the possibility of operating a police office at the Citizens’ advice bureau,” he added.
During the news conference, the police chief said the new leadership also wanted to create a safety strategy focusing on citizens’ protection in a safe environment.
With this in mind, he said police would continue to clamp down on the island’s main social problem of road accidents.
Adopting the zero tolerance policy of his predecessor, Papacostas said speeding, careless and dangerous driving, drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs would be dealt with harshly.
“The speed camera programme will be completed to include 430 fixed and mobile cameras compared to the 40 cameras that operate today, increase awareness campaigns, increase spot inspections of motorists on public streets, the distribution of printed and electronic information to students and teachers, and using the police headquarters’ motor education park during the afternoon and weekends,” he said.
Police also plan to increase inspections at establishments frequented by youngsters, checking for drug use and to ensure minors are not present or being served alcohol. Better fire service inspections of clubs will also be carried out, he said.
Other aspects of the plan outlined by Papacostas included decentralising administrative duties and reducing bureaucracy, creating incentives for staff to excel, improving police training, clamping down on incidences of police violence and corruption, tightening officers’ access to guns, organising and restructuring staff, departments, services and units, upgrading telecommunication and electronic equipment, and developing building infrastructure.
“I’m aware we’re aiming very high. But it’s [this strategy] not going to happen today, or tomorrow, or next year. It’s going take place between 2007 and 2011, therefore over the next four years. It’s going to be set up in stages and implemented,” he said.
Papacostas said that in order to achieve the leadership’s vision, it would rely on its own members’ professional, social and personal development. He added that the necessary budget for all the changes had been taken into account and was presently under discussion.
