Police chief launches officer morale boosting mission

Police chief Kypros Michaelides announced on Wednesday he will be touring police units in all districts to boost officer morale following the public outcry over the handling of disappearances of foreign women who ended up being victims of a self-confessed serial killer.

The new police chief, who was appointed just a month ago after his predecessor was dismissed by the president over the serial killings’ fiasco, kick started his tour in Limassol on Wednesday.

Speaking during a meeting with the top brass of the Limassol district police, Michaelides said following “possible wrong handlings, shortcomings and/or omissions, police credibility has taken a hit lately due to the tragic events everyone knows about.

“Due to the situation, our police officers’ morale has taken a hit,” he said.

The police leadership had launched these meetings to discuss with officers and learn about their problems and hear their suggestions, “in a bid to reverse this climate and all of us to start a new course aimed at inspiring security and confidence in the police among members of the public.”

The main issues to be discussed are how to reverse the negative climate.

“How can we give society the feeling of security that prevailed a while ago, and how to boost the morale of our police officers?”

Michaelides said that the police provide security and will continue to do so.

“It is no coincidence that we are characterised by many organisations and countries as a safe destination and as a place for professional activity, for recreation and as a safe place of residence,” he said.

Michaelides said he would present the vision of the new police leadership on June 11 at a press conference.

 

 

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