With multiple reports of corruption against police, new team tasked with weeding out bad apples from the force
THE POLICE leadership yesterday announced the creation of its own team of “Untouchables”, tasked with investigating all reports of graft, misconduct and delinquency, as part of measures aimed at weeding out the bad apples of the force.
Justice Minister Loucas Louca and Police Chief Michalis Papageorgiou yesterday announced the setting up of the Professional Standards Department (PSD), which will have exclusive competence to evaluate information and deal with cases involving members of the police force “from the last officer to the chief of police”.
The seven-member team will have the power to launch its own investigation based on information gathered, either through its own sources or from anonymous tip-offs. The main job of the department will be to monitor, collect and evaluate information with all seven members experienced in investigation and intelligence-gathering.
Louca said the department was set up following a fact-finding mission to England some months back. “We believe (the PSD) will have real, positive results in combating the corruption that exists in the police, to whatever degree it may be,” said the minister.
Police have been dogged recently by multiple reports of corruption, with allegations ranging from members being involved in loan-sharking to attempting to purchase a rocket launcher.
“I want to send the message that nobody, but nobody is above the law and that we must be accountable for all our behaviours and actions,” said Papageorgiou.
“Police in all European countries have a similar service to the one we have set up. It will not replace any powers of the Independent Police Complaints Authority (IPCA),” said Louca.
Police spokesman Michalis Katsounotos explained that the IPCA was limited to investigating complaints made on-the-record by people willing to come forward. “There was a gap there regarding anonymous complaints,” he said.
The PSD will be able to take information given anonymously either from members of the public or the force and investigate, by monitoring the individuals in question or doing the necessary research. They can also investigate formal complaints to assist or “complement” the work of the IPCA. The difference here being that the IPCA is considered an independent body, while the PSD comes under the jurisdiction of the police leadership.
If the new corruption-fighting department finds that disciplinary or criminal offences are being committed they may pass it on to the IPCA for investigation. If the offences do not come within the latter’s competence, then the information will be given to the police leadership to launch a disciplinary or criminal investigation. And if the small “elite” unit needs more manpower, this will be arranged by borrowing from other divisions on a case-by-case basis, said the police chief.
Papageorgiou said the main task of the PSD was to improve internal procedures and practices, and prevent deviant or delinquent behaviour by any member of the force, “from the last officer up to the chief of police”.
The police chief highlighted that if the PSD has information about a low-ranking officer, they will go to the department head. If it’s against an assistant to the chief, they will go to the police chief, but if the information implicates the chief or his deputy, they will go directly to the Justice Minister.
The new department will also carry out academic studies and conduct training programmes to accomplish its mission, said Papageorgiou. He added that this was just one measure to tackle the multitude of problems within the force, the other being keeping a constant check on all members of the force.
The seven-member department will be headed by Superintendent Gabriel Gabriel, former head of the Morphou division, who will lead Inspector Andreas Angelides from Limassol CID, Inspector Georgios Superman from police headquarters, Inspector Christofis Christofi, former head of Nicosia Crime Prevention Unit, Sergeant Fivos Efthyvoulou from Limassol Division, Sergeant Demetris Hadjidemetriou from Larnaca CID and Acting Sergeant Yiannakis Panayi from the Mobile Rapid Reaction Unit.
Meanwhile, Papageorgiou yesterday announced that another police member had been effectively kicked out of the force on Wednesday after it had been proved that he had used money from the collection of fines.
“This dismissal or forced resignation is the third in a month and the 14th since 2005. I want to reassure everyone that there is zero tolerance on everything, particularly where there are ulterior motives. When someone intentionally, deliberately acts in bad faith, then there is zero tolerance as the phrase says,” said Papageorgiou.
A disciplinary committee found a Special Constable guilty of the offences of misconduct, lies, perversion or concealment of the truth and corruption on Wednesday. Given the seriousness of the disciplinary offences, his penalty was forced resignation.
Last month, police forced an officer to resign after he stole around €67,000 received as evidence in a drugs related case. The officer admitted guilt to three charges: improper conduct, dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming a police officer.
