ACTING Police Chief Michalis Papageorgiou was yesterday officially appointed to the top position, taking over from his predecessor Iacovos Papacostas.
The announcement was made by government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou during his midday media briefing.
Papageorgiou, who undertook the role following Papacostas’ surprise resignation on June 18, will resume office during a handing over ceremony at 1pm today at the Presidential Palace.
“The President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, exercising his constitutional right, has appointed Michalis Papageorgiou to the position of Chief of Police, to replace the former Chief of Police Iacovos Papacostas,” said Stefanou.
Replacing Papageorgiou as Deputy Police Chief is present Assistant Chief for Administration Andreas Nicolaides. According to reports, Assistant Chief Andreas Iatropoulos’ name had also been in the running for the second highest post in the force. It is thought the latter will be promoted in a year’s time when Nicolaides retires.
Stefanou said more announcements would be made at today’s ceremony regarding why the duo had been appointed.
“You realise that the President of the Republic will say a few works regarding the role of the police, as well as the appointments he has made based on the Constitution,” he said.
“The government’s concern and that of the President of the Republic himself is that in co-operation with the new Police leadership to address whatever negative phenomena exist so that a more upgraded, stronger police force can fulfil the mission ahead, which is very important,” he said.
Papacostas resigned earlier this month one day before Attorney-general Petros Clerides announced his decision to criminally prosecute four police officers and one Central Prisons official over the Antonis Prokopiou Kitas debacle.
Since he stepped down, there has been much speculation regarding his involvement in the December fiasco which saw a convicted double rapist and murderer escape from a Nicosia private hospital.
The felon was later captured after an island-wide manhunt. Opposition deputies suggested that Papacostas gave up his position at the president’s behest as part of a trade-off to keep his name off the AG’s indictment sheet.
