Cyprus Police

History

Authorities

• The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus
• Police Law
• Police Regulations
• Police Standing Orders
• Criminal Code Cap.154
• Criminal Procedure Law Cap.155
• Evidence Law Cap-9
• The Processing of Personal Data Law 138/2001

Structure and organisation

Headquarters

Departments

• Department A'
• Department B'
• Department C'
• Department D'
• Research and Development Department

  Directorates

• European Union & International Police Cooperation Directorate
• Materials & Supplies Management Directorate
• Airports Security Directorate
• Finance Directorate
• Directorate of Professional Standards

  Services

• Aliens & Immigration Service
• Drug Law Enforcement Service
• Forensic Investigations Service
• Audit & Inspection Service
• Central Intelligence Service

  Units

• Cyprus Police Academy
• Emergency Response Unit
• Presidential Guard Unit
• Port & Marine Police
• Cyprus Police Aviation Unit

  Divisions

• Nicosia
• Limassol
• Larnaca
• Famagusta
• Paphos
• Keryneia
• Morphou
• Fire Service - The Fire Service operates as an independent Division based in Nicosia but with national coverage.

Personnel

Ranks and insignia

1. They have completed 12 years of service and have passed the examination for promotion to the rank of Sergeant
2. During the last two years they have not been imposed with a penalty greater than "severe reprimand" for a disciplinary offence and
3. they have been recommended by the officer in charge of their Unit as suitable and well trained in police duties

1. They have completed 8 years of service at the rank of Sergeant and have passed the examination for promotion to the rank of Inspector
2. During the last two years they have not been imposed with a penalty greater than "severe reprimand" for a disciplinary offence and
3. they have been recommended by the officer in charge of their Unit as suitable and well trained in police duties

   Education and training

All police constables have to attend a three-year course at the Cyprus Police Academy, which is recognized as a higher education institution. The course alternates between theory at the Police Academy and practical training in the field. Special police constables also attend the police academy for a seventeen-week course. All PCs and SPCs, as part of their training attend the Special Training Center of the Emergency Response Unit for firearms training and other physical forms of training.
The highly variable field of law enforcement demands and highly promotes continuing education. For this reason police officers of all ranks continue attending courses throughout their careers. Such courses are conducted by the Cyprus Police Academy or by foreign training agencies such as the FBI National Academy and the National Security School of the Greek Police Academy. The duration of these courses is from a couple of days, up to several months or in some cases more than a year. To assist cross-border common training, exist the Cyprus Police is a member of many international programs and agencies, for example CEPOL.

Equipment

Vehicles

Markings

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.

Lists of vehicles

^*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		Honda		750cc	Traffic/Response vehicle
	Suzuki GSX 750P		Suzuki		750cc	Traffic/Response vehicle
	Honda Pan-European		Honda		1100cc	Traffic/Response vehicle
	Suzuki GSX-R1000		Suzuki		1000cc	Traffic/Response vehicle
	Suzuki V-Strom 1000		Suzuki		1000cc	Traffic/Response vehicle
	KTM 640 Adventure		KTM		625cc	Traffic/Response vehicle
	BMW C1		BMW			Neighbourhood Police
	Honda CBR1000RR		Honda		1000cc	Traffic/Response vehicle
	Honda Varadero		Honda		1000cc	Traffic/Response vehicle

^*Unless specifically referenced, the dates the vehicles entered service are based on their license plate registration numbers

Aerial vehicles

Boats

Firearms

All police officers in the Cyprus Police are trained in the use of both pistols and Submachine guns as part of their basic training. Although there is an array of different firearms and ammunition types in use in the Cyprus Police, ranging from Shotguns to Machine guns, the most commonly used firearms are the Heckler & Koch USP and the Heckler & Koch MP5.

Year entered service	Name	Photo	Manufacturer	Caliber	Type	Notes
	Smith & Wesson Model 60		Smith & Wesson	.38	Revolver	No longer used
	Browning Hi-Power		FN Herstal	9mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Limited Use
	CZ Model 75		Česká zbrojovka	9mm	Semi-automatic pistol	No longer used
	Heckler & Koch USP		Heckler & Koch	9mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Commonly Used
	SIG Sauer P226		SIG Sauer	9mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Limited Use
	Glock		Glock Ges.m.b.H.	9mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Limited Use
	Heckler & Koch MP5		Heckler & Koch	9mm	Submachine gun	Commonly Used
	vz. 58		Česká zbrojovka	7.62mm	Assault rifle	No longer used
	AK-47		Izhmash	7.62mm	Assault rifle	Limited Use

The firearm photos in the table are not to scale

Gallery