Justice minister defends police union stance and calls for new central prisons
Justice Minister Costas Fitiris defended the government’s authority over police operations while highlighting prison security concerns and the need for new facilities.
Nicosia, Cyprus. Justice Minister Costas Fitiris defended his handling of an escalating dispute with the police union, saying dialogue was essential but operational decisions remained the responsibility of police leadership and his ministry.
He also cited the need for new central prisons and acknowledged public anger over a recent non-fatal road accident that caused hours of traffic gridlock in sweltering heat.
Union dialogue and operational authority
In an interview with the Cyprus Mail, Fitiris said organised labour had an important institutional role but could not determine how the security forces were run.
“Trade unionism is a protected right and the ministry fully respects it,” he said. “Institutional dialogue with the unions is useful and necessary, particularly on matters concerning working conditions, staff welfare and safety.”
He said the distinction between consultation and decision-making had to remain clear.
“The unions represent employees and have every right to express positions, suggestions and disagreements,” he said. “But the administration of the security forces, their operational function and decision-making belong to the competent institutional bodies, which are also accountable for those decisions.”
Fitiris said consultation should be meaningful and conducted in good faith, but that decisions lawfully taken “must be implemented”.
Prison security concerns
His comments followed a statement on Thursday by the prison guards’ branch of police union Isotita (Equality), which said the central prisons were facing a growing security crisis involving violence, drugs, overcrowding and staff shortages.
Isotita vice president Giorgos Maltezos said the prison had become increasingly difficult to manage and accused the state of failing to ensure the safety of inmates and staff.
His intervention came days after his dismissal from the prison service.
New prison project
Fitiris said construction of new central prisons was one of the government’s major long-term infrastructure projects.
He said the existing facilities were no longer suitable after more than a century in operation.
“The current prisons were built around 135 years ago for an entirely different number of inmates and a completely different correctional philosophy,” he said.
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