New police guard assignment procedure to take effect this month
Police will conduct regular risk assessments to determine protection measures for political figures and state officials.
Nicosia, Cyprus. A new procedure for assigning police guards to political figures and state officials will take effect this month, the justice ministry said on Tuesday.
Police will carry out risk assessments and determine necessary protection measures every six months, or sooner where required.
Risk assessments
The procedure follows an opinion by the Law Office, requested to clarify the legislative framework governing police guards and their duties.
According to the justice ministry, the practice since the 1970s had been to provide guards to political figures and state officials with cabinet approval, without clear legislative provisions.
Police authority
The Law Office said risk assessments and protection measures fall within the institutional and operational authority of the police.
Police will forward the results of their assessments to the justice ministry without cabinet involvement.
Review of current arrangements
The ministry said all existing guards and protection measures are being reassessed and will be adapted to the estimated level of risk.
Where the need for guarding is not documented, the protection will be ended or changed accordingly, it said, adding that police guarding is a security measure provided when necessary.
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