Cyprus Police leadership has approved new regulations on working hours, overtime and rest days, triggering strong reactions from both unions representing police officers.
An internal circular distributed to all members by the Human Resources Directorate outlines the changes announced earlier by the Chief of Police, Themystoklis Arnaoutis. The measures are presented under the heading “utilisation of human resources” and are scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2026.
Key elements of the new system
The most significant adjustment concerns officers who currently work the 12 x 36 schedule without shift rotation. From 1 January 2026, these officers will move from a twelve hour shift to an eleven hour shift within each two day work cycle.
Supervisors will be required, where feasible, to grant one rest day for every thirty eight worked eleven hour shifts. Over a full year, this is meant to amount to four full eleven hour cycles plus an additional seven and a half hours of compensatory time off.
According to the circular, the revised structure will allow stations and units operating under this schedule to work with more personnel on duty at any given time. Police leadership argues that this will reduce fatigue, improve operational readiness and ultimately increase the public’s sense of safety.
The circular also specifies that salaries will not be reduced under the new system. Allowances for shift work, Sundays and public holidays will continue to be paid and calculated in exactly the same way, based on actual hours worked.
Union opposition
Both police unions have reacted strongly to the changes, arguing that the measures were introduced without adequate consultation and that they disrupt established work patterns. They also express concern that the revised system may increase pressure on officers under the guise of improving operational efficiency.
The unions are expected to seek further clarification and potentially escalate their response if the leadership does not review specific elements of the circular.