POLICE CHIEF Michalis Papageorgiou yesterday hit back at the criticism levelled against him by the Cyprus Police Association (SAK), accusing the aspiring unionists of trying to “deliberately undermine” his efforts.
The spat between the police chief and SAK has gradually spiralled in recent months, with SAK openly defying Papageorgiou on Thursday by announcing plans to integrate into the powerful civil servants’ union PASYDY.
The dispute began when the police leadership announced plans to reorganise the work timetable for traffic police from a 12-hour shift to an eight-hour one. The association says traffic police prefer to work 12-hour shifts every other day because many of them live far from their workplace and waste a great deal of time – and petrol – commuting.
“When I took the decision on the eight-hour shift, I knew there would be reactions and I would be criticised, but I chose to put the interests of the police force and the place in general first before my own interests.
“Instead of this being acknowledged and respected, there have been many statements and comments from police members and third parties, which not only do not reflect reality, but are actually taking us backwards and slamming the breaks on efforts to clean up and upgrade the police force, as well as provoke public sentiment,” said a clearly riled police chief yesterday.
“It is no exaggeration to say this criticism being exercised is a deliberate attempt to undermine the Chief of Police, because he had the courage of his convictions to impose the law as he should. It is a deliberate undermining, with all the negative consequences that that holds for the police and the place in general,” he said.
Papageorgiou hinted that the SAK did not enjoy wide support among the police force. He further noted that the SAK “arbitrarily” proposed changes to its articles of association enabling it to join PASYDY. The police chief said he asked lawyers for their opinion on the matter and they concluded that “the association’s integration to PASYDY as an association is illegal”.
On the eight-hour shift, he noted that police would be more rested and able to perform their duties under such a shift, adding that they could also have daily contact with members of the public and follow up on their complaints, instead of letting 24 hours pass.
“Additionally, the eight-hour day greatly restricts the possibility of police having another job,” he said.
Despite the evident souring of relations between the leadership and association, Papageorgiou said he still saw scope for a mutually acceptable solution.
As the dispute escalates, the union-friendly government has remained ominously quiet over the affair. With parliamentary elections coming next May, Papageorgiou’s hope for vocal support from the top may remain just that.
