AKEL for the meeting of the General Secretary of AKEL with the Police Officers’ branch of ‘Isotita’ (‘Equality’) trade union

 

31 August 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The General Secretary of AKEL Stefanos Stefanou, heading an AKEL delegation, met today with the Police Officers’ branch of Isotita (Equality) trade union. The multiple problems the Police and thousands of police officers who staff the police force were discussed.

The inadequacy in staffing for frontline duties, which has a negative impact on the effective operation of the Police and on the workload of the Force’s members, is a major problem.

The serious problem facing the Police Force of the overload of fulfilling non-police duties, such as psychiatric hospitalization, juvenile probation officers and duties of a military nature, were also raised.

The issue of recruitment and promotions was also discussed and it was stressed that there should be an evaluation made of the procedures and criteria for promoting meritocracy.

The upgrading of pay scales for newly hired police officers, the restoration of allowances in their entirety, the renewal of staff through the elaboration of a retirement plan and better working conditions for new recruits represent the key labour problems facing the Branch.

The General Secretary stressed that AKEL has always been on the side of the working people employed in the Police Force and assured that the Party would continue to support police officer’s just demands.

The General Secretary of AKEL underlined the need for meritocracy and transparency within the ranks of the security forces, which AKEL is promoting in a concrete way in Parliament for the amendment of rules through the tabling of proposals and its interventions in the relevant Parliamentary Committee.