Speaking to newly graduated police officers, Justice and Public Order Minister Kostas Fytiris stressed the importance of building trust with citizens, highlighting community cooperation as a cornerstone of effective and modern policing.
Address at Police Academy Graduation
Fytiris was speaking on Thursday at the graduation ceremony of Police Cadet classes 159, 160 and 161 at the Police Academy, after inspecting the formations of the new officers.
He described the ceremony as an important moment of renewal and reinforcement with young people who consciously chose to serve society, underlining that police officers have a duty to serve not only the law but also people.
Role of the Police in Society
“The Police are the fortress of security for society. They are the barrier that protects public order, safety and citizens’ trust in institutions, an institution that holds society together,” the minister said.
He noted that challenges today are more complex, organised crime is evolving, forms of offending are changing and society’s expectations of the police are understandably high. He stressed the need to respond with professionalism, seriousness and a clear focus on the mission.
Emphasis on Example and Responsibility
Addressing the new officers, Fytiris urged them to attach particular importance to the principle that nothing educates more than example and nothing carries more authority than decency, pointing out that the uniform grants not only authority but, above all, responsibility reflected in everyday conduct.
He added that modern policing is not limited to repression and reaction, but that prevention plays a decisive role, reiterating that without public trust and cooperation no security system can function effectively.
Remarks After the Ceremony
In statements after the ceremony, Fytiris described the day as a celebration for the Police, saying he was impressed by the level, ethos and spirit of the new generation of officers.
He expressed confidence that the new recruits will help improve the force, noting that each new generation brings progress towards the standards expected by society.
He compared the ceremony to similar events in the National Guard, saying the Police have depth, structure and spirit, something that impressed and moved him.
Police Modernisation Plans
Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis said the current period is transitional, noting that together with the Justice Minister they have decided to modernise the Cyprus Police.
He said this will focus on operational capacity and readiness, public response, the collection and management of information and especially the fight against organised crime.
Arnaoutis also highlighted the need to modernise human resources, describing existing procedures and systems as outdated, and stressed the importance of technological upgrades.
He advised the new officers to be cautious in the performance of their duties, including for their own safety, and concluded by noting that despite coming from different backgrounds, ages and personal circumstances, police officers work as a single body for the whole of society.
Source: CNA