A prominent police union in Cyprus, known as Isotita, has publicly levelled accusations against the Chief of Police, Themistos Arnaoutis. The union alleges that the Chief has demonstrably exceeded his legal authority regarding a substantial reform of police officers' working hours. Isotita contends that the proposed modifications to shift patterns and rest day allocations, scheduled for implementation in January, should have undergone formal presentation to the Council of Ministers for necessary approval. This procedural step, they claim, was deliberately bypassed, a serious assertion that has now attracted international attention.
The European police confederation, EuroCOP, is preparing to dispatch a delegation to Cyprus in order to thoroughly investigate this developing matter. At the core of this significant controversy lies Article 13 of the existing police law. According to Isotita, this article explicitly stipulates that all recommendations pertaining to police duty hours must be submitted to the cabinet for official regulatory endorsement. Nikos Loizides, the head of Isotita’s police branch, articulated the union's definitive stance during a recent radio interview, stating unequivocally that this crucial step was conspicuously omitted from the process.
Mr. Loizides directly accused the Chief of Police of an "excess of authority," a serious charge that has been bolstered by the union’s legal advisors. These advisors have corroborated Isotita's interpretation, reinforcing their position that the current approach adopted by the police leadership is legally untenable and therefore unacceptable. The proposed reforms, as detailed by Isotita, would drastically alter the existing framework for frontline officers, significantly impacting their daily lives and professional well-being.
The union claims these proposed changes would reduce annual rest days from one for every 20 working days to a significantly lower ratio of one for every 76 working days. This substantial shift, if it were to be enacted, could potentially leave officers with up to 15 fewer rest days annually. Isotita posits that such a reduction infringes upon fundamental labour rights, which they argue cannot be unilaterally altered by the police leadership. The union leadership, alongside the Justice Minister, has been specifically accused by Isotita of targeting officers at the forefront of law enforcement.
The escalation of this internal dispute to an international forum underscores the considerable gravity with which Isotita views the entire situation. EuroCOP is scheduled to visit Cyprus later this month to conduct a comprehensive examination of the grievances presented. Following their on-site assessment, the European police confederation intends to formally brief the European Parliament on their comprehensive findings. This international scrutiny is a direct consequence of Isotita’s characterisation of the current circumstances as a source of "international disgrace" for Cypriot police officers, highlighting their perception of systemic mistreatment. The union's firm stance suggests a protracted struggle ahead, as they remain resolute in their opposition to the reforms as currently proposed.