A common fight against crime

THE role of a contemporary police force is not only to uphold the law but also to stand by and support its citizens in their common fight against crime, Justice Minister Sophoclis Sophocleous said yesterday.

The minister was speaking at a seminar on ‘The Role of the Police in a Modern Democracy’ organised by the Justice Ministry and Ombudswoman’s office.
Ombudswoman Eliana Nicolaou and former police chief Charalmbos Koulentis also gave opening addresses.

Guest speakers included Attorney-general Petros Clerides, Greece’s Citizens’ Advocate George Kaminis, deputy police chief Michalis Papageorgiou, and Aristos Chartas from the Ombudswoman’s office.

The seminar, which was designed to encourage the exchange of different expert opinions and to share experiences, aimed to help create a more effective, human police force through productive dialogue.

Sophocleous said police had to be able to uphold law while simultaneously explaining that law effectively to citizens.

“They [police] must never forget that they are not facing citizens but standing next to them. Together, they support a common partnership against crime,” the minister said.

He added that gone were the days when an autocratic police force was acceptable.

“A modern police force means a human police force,” he said.

Sophocleous added that officers needed continuous education to keep up with the times and the ever changing types of crime, such as internet crime, so as to remain effective in its role to protect and serve.

“[This seminar] is aiming for a common goal. To have a 21st century police force that responds to justice and the people and has results,” he said.

Both Nicolaou and Koulentis reiterated the minister’s comments, saying that in today’s society excessive force, torture, and a disregard for human rights, was unacceptable from police.

The Attorney-general added that in their effort to uphold the law police sometimes overstepped the mark, which then in itself became a crime and that the police, like all bodies, were answerable to the court.

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