Parliament to Vote on New Bill Protecting Police Officers
In a significant legislative move, the House legal committee has given the green light to a bill that will explicitly criminalise falsely accusing police officers of crimes or conduct violations. The bill, which amends the existing law on complaints against the police, is now poised for a decisive vote in Parliament.
The bill’s proponent, Disy MP Nikos Georgiou, spoke fervently about the need for such legislation. He articulated that the primary goal is to “discourage the phenomenon of filing non-existent complaints against police officers for imaginary criminal or disciplinary offences.” Georgiou emphasized that such unfounded allegations are often aimed at slandering or taking revenge on the police. He supported his stance with statistics, noting that a staggering 97 percent of cases brought before the police complaints authority are ultimately rejected.
Backing the bill, Nikos Loizidis, chairman of the Trade union Isotita’s police force branch, declared that if the bill passes, his union would retract all complaints previously submitted to the Group of States against Corruption (Greco). Loizidis passionately criticized the current law that permits investigations into police conduct, claiming it has “condemned, tortured, and humiliated police for 18 years” without any intervention. He welcomed the proposed amendment as a long-overdue correction.
Adding to the chorus of support, Lefteris Kyriakou, secretary of the Cyprus police association, pointed out that false complaints have significantly hindered police officers’ ability to perform their duties effectively. He described these accusations as “an inhibiting factor in the performance of the duties of our members on the front line,” highlighting the practical impact of the current situation on everyday policing.
The forthcoming parliamentary vote on this bill marks a potential turning point in how complaints against police officers are handled, with implications for both law enforcement and public accountability.
