Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus police officers protested on Wednesday after the Isotita trade union called for demonstrations over a new police reform that took effect at the start of the year. Officers gathered outside the House as the reform was discussed at the legal committee.
Protest outside the House
The officers gathered outside the House at 9am to express opposition to amendments linked to the reform. Head of Isotita’s police branch Nikos Loizides said, “The law on the police has been violated.”
Unions oppose revised working hours
Police chief Themistos Arnaoutis’ outline of new police working hours drew criticism from police unions and the Cyprus Police Association. They argued that the reforms changed daily working schedules and significantly reduced officers’ rest days.
Claims of legal and procedural breaches
Isotita described the plans as a “violent intensification of work” and alleged the amendments amounted to “a dismantling of decades of achievements.” The union said the changes disregarded provisions of the police law governing terms of service, hours of duty and days off, which it said are regulated exclusively by the Council of Ministers.
Isotita previously described Arnaoutis’ decision to reform officers’ schedules as a “direct, blatant and premeditated attack on the core of the rule of law, on the hierarchy of rules and on the fundamental labor rights of (…) police officers.” It also accused police leadership of “usurping legislative power,” and of violating the separation of powers, the constitution, international conventions and general principles of administrative law.
Court challenge filed
A request to revoke the amendments has been filed with the administrative court.
What impact do you think the new police working hours will have on policing and officers’ welfare?
