Cyprus Police Aviation Unit Bell 412EP participating in fire fighting efforts in Israel, during the 2010 Mount Carmel forest fire
| Cyprus Police Greek: Αστυνομία Κύπρου Turkish: Kıbrıs Polis | |
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Cyprus police logo
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| Motto | Ανθρώπινη και Υπερήφανη (Humane and Proud) |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1960 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency | CY |
| Operations jurisdiction | CY |
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| Above: Northern part of the island currently not policed by the Republic of Cyprus as it is under the de facto control of Northern Cyprus. Outlined in red is the UN buffer zone and outlined in blue are the areas of the British Sovereign Bases. Below: Relief map of Cyprus showing mountains and sea. Red dot indicating capital and Headquarters location. | |
| Size | 9,251 km2 total Areas Cyprus Police does not operate in 3,355 km2 occupied area (North) 346km² UN buffer zone 254km² British Sovereign Bases[1] |
| Population | 956,000 [2] |
| Primary governing body | Republic of Cyprus |
| Secondary governing body | Ministry of Justice and Public Order (Cyprus) |
| Constituting instruments |
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| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Overseen by Government Agency | Independent Authority for the Investigation of Allegations and Complaints against the Police[4] |
| Headquarters | Antistratigou Evaggelou Floraki Str., Aglantzia, Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Police officers | 4927 (data taken on 01/01/2019) [2] |
| Specialized posts | 92 |
| Minister responsible |
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| Agency executive |
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| Facilities | |
| Police stations | 50[7] excluding substations, offices, units etc. |
| Airbases | 1[8] |
| Boats | 5 fast sea patrol boats 5 patrol boats 6 rigid inflatable boats[9] |
| Helicopters | 2Bell 412EP 2AgustaWestland AW139[8] |
| Website | |
| http://www.police.gov.cy/ | |
| Emergency Telephone Number 112 or 199 Citizens' line 1460 Narcotics line 1498 Hunters' line 1414 Fire report line 1407 Rescue Coordination Center 1441 | |
The Cyprus Police (Greek: Αστυνομία Κύπρου, Turkish: Kıbrıs Polis), is the national police service of the Republic of Cyprus, falling under the Ministry of Justice and Public Order since 1993.[10]
The duties and responsibilities of the Cyprus police are set out in the amended Police Law (N.73(1)) of 2004 and include the maintenance of law and order, the prevention and detection of crime, as well as arresting and bringing offenders to justice.[11]
Although the history of Law enforcement in Cyprus goes back to 1879 when the first Police Law was passed by the then British Colonial Government, which operated a mounted gendarmerie force known as the Cyprus Military Police, the history of the Cyprus Police begins with the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960.
In 1960 two Public Security Forces were established within the framework of the Constitution: the Police Force, which was responsible for policing the urban areas, and the Gendarmerie, which was responsible for policing rural areas. A Greek-Cypriot Chief and a Turkish-Cypriot Chief administered the two Forces respectively.[12]
The two forces of the police were joined to form the present police service during the year 1964, shortly after the intercommunal troubles between the Greek and the Turkish communities, as a result of which the Turkish Cypriot officers abandoned their posts.[10] Additionally the conflict created great problems for the police, who had to handle the situation, along with the then sparsely manned Cypriot Army, because it was the only organized force.
With the creation of the Cypriot National Guard in 1964, the duties of military nature were transferred to the National Guard and the police was limited back to its usual duties.[13]
Also notable is that a museum dedicated to the history of the Cyprus Police and Law enforcement in Cyprus in general exists, with a history of its own. The Cyprus Police Museum, owned by the Cyprus Police and managed by the Department A' of the Police Headquarters is open to the general public.
The Cyprus Police operates and exercises its authorities throughout the territory of the Republic of Cyprus based on the following Laws and Regulations:[3]
The legal framework within which the Cyprus Police exists and operates is determined by the Constitution, Police Law Cap.285 and other laws that provide the authority for investigation, detention, arrest, questioning and prosecution of offenders of the Law.
The structure and organisation of the Cyprus Police is governed by Police Ordinance 1/10 and is formed as stated below:[15]
The Police Headquarters is divided into different Departments/Directorates/Services and Units, each specializing in a different field/aspect of policing.
The Cyprus Police has one Division for each district of Cyprus. Under this divisions are the Police Stations but also within each Police Division, branches can be created similar to the branches of the Police Headquarters. For example, there is a Headquarters Drug Law Enforcement Service but also a Nicosia, Limassol etc. Drug Law Enforcement Service. Other examples include Headquarters Criminal Investigation Department (C.I.D.)- Larnaca, Nicosia, Limassol etc. C.I.D. and Headquarters Traffic Department - Nicosia, Limassol etc. Traffic Department . The difference is that the Headquarters units/services etc. operate throughout the territory of the Cyprus Republic while the divisional (provincial) units/services operate mostly within the District that are located.[16]
Because of the Turkish invasion and continuing occupation, the Police Divisional Headquarters of Famagusta and Morphou are temporarily housed in Paralimni and Evrychou respectively, while the Kyrenia Police Division has temporarily suspended its operation.[18]
Cyprus Police cars are white with a blue stripe that goes around the car. On both sides they have printed on them the words POLICE and ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΑ, which means Police in Greek. They also have the logo of the Cyprus Police, usually on the front doors and also have printed on them the Police's website www.police.gov.cy. An exception to this is some of the cars used by the Neighbourhood Police that have the Neighbourhood Police logo instead of the Cyprus Police Logo. On the front part of the car they have again the logo with the words POLICE and ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΑ and at the back they could have, depending on the model of the car and the space available, the words Police in Greek and English or just the Cyprus Police insignia or both. On the roof they have printed a distinct number for each one as aerial roof markings.
In 2011 a trial version for new markings was used on an old Opel Vectra patrol car. These were half-Battenburg markings with a highly reflective blue-yellow stripe on the sides instead of the solid blue stripe. Additionally the back was covered in reflective yellow-red diagonal stripes and had printed the emergency phone number 112. The front part on the hood of the car had the words ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΑ and POLICE printed inverted so that they would appear correctly when seen through a mirror. These markings were not enforced.
In 2012 new markings were enforced were the blue stripe although still solid was replaced with a highly reflective one, and the rear horizontal line was replaced from a solid blue stripe to a blue-white diagonal line similar to the rear usually found on vehicles with Battenburg markings.
The Cyprus Police also uses unmarked vehicles. Unmarked vehicles are not necessarily covert to be used for undercover work. Most unmarked cars are the same models as the patrol cars and they are mostly used by plain clothed officers such as crime investigators, crime prevention squads, technicians etc. Most of these cars are fitted with sirens and can be seen in the streets with detachable strobe lights.
*Unless specifically referenced, the dates the vehicles entered service are based on their license plate registration numbers
| Year entered service* |
Motorcycle | Photo | Manufacturer | Production Model |
Engine | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CBX750 |
750cc
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Traffic/Response vehicle | |||||
| Suzuki GSX 750P |
750cc
|
Traffic/Response vehicle | |||||
| Honda Pan-European |
1100cc
|
Traffic/Response vehicle | |||||
| Suzuki GSX-R1000 |
1000cc
|
Traffic/Response vehicle | |||||
| Suzuki V-Strom 1000 |
1000cc
|
Traffic/Response vehicle | |||||
| KTM 640 Adventure |
625cc
|
Traffic/Response vehicle | |||||
| BMW C1 | Neighbourhood Police | ||||||
| Honda CBR1000RR |  |
1000cc
|
Traffic/Response vehicle | ||||
| Honda Varadero |  |
1000cc
|
Traffic/Response vehicle |
*Unless specifically referenced, the dates the vehicles entered service are based on their license plate registration numbers
Cyprus police has been the main feature and appeared in television shows such as:
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Structure of Cyprus Police | ||
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Law enforcement in Asia
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Police forces by country
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