The Chief of Police, Zacharias Chrysostomou, requested a criminal and disciplinary investigation regarding the publication of a photo in which, according to a complaint by PSEM, "the inappropriate behavior by a member of the police force is clearly visible" during the protest of the students outside Parliament.
Mr. Chrysostomou also gave instructions on how to make this member available.
On the occasion of publications on online news pages where a member of the Police is depicted making gestures, the Police issued a statement stating that "such behaviors by members of the Police are not accepted and are unacceptable and condemnable."
Therefore, it is added in the announcement, "the Chief of Police, Zacharias Chrysostomou, immediately gave instructions for the conduct of criminal and disciplinary investigation and as soon as the specific member is made available".
The Pancyprian Student Coordinating Committee (PSEM) had earlier sent an open letter - complaint about the incidents that occurred to the Chief of Police, which was accompanied by the controversial photo, which the Commission also sent to KYPE.
In its letter, the Commission claimed that there were minor incidents at the event "which, however, were caused by the attitude and behavior of the police officers themselves".
"The role of the police is to ensure that incidents do not occur that endanger the safety of citizens and not to provoke them with its own attitude," the Commission wrote in a letter to the Chief of Force, calling for an immediate investigation. her complaint "in order to take the necessary disciplinary or other measures is needed".
In a statement before the photo in question saw the light of day and commenting on PSEM's announcement about the minor incidents, the Police noted that “The policing of the whole event, which was attended by about 800–1,000 students, was done by two anti-harassment groups consisting of 55 members of the Police ".
During the event, as stated in the announcement of the Force, "a portion of students threw at the police officers who were on duty, stones, flares and other objects."
"With the professionalism, composure and self-control of the members of the Police, as well as with the cooperation of the Chief Officers with the organizers of the event, the situation was normalized without causing any damage or injuries," the Police said in a statement. .
"Such actions and behaviors are condemnable, while it is reminded that the mission of the Police is to maintain public order and security and any events or protests are respected as they are conducted peacefully and always within the framework of the Law," he said. .
Source: KYPE