Justice Minister Costas Fytiris wants to replace the oral assessment of candidates for police promotion with written exams. He also wants to set up units of the Rapid Response Motorised Unit (MMAD) in every district and to change how officers are recruited, Phileleftheros understands.
The two police unions, Isotita and SAK, have received in writing the issues Fytiris wants to open for discussion, and Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis has also been informed. The minister had recently met the unions and Arnaoutis to outline his intentions.
According to what the unions were told, the issues also include training officers in Greece, insurance cover for officers on duty, and the abolition of interviews.
Promotions
Phileleftheros understands that Fytiris has found most court rulings overturning police promotions relate to the procedure followed by the assessment board, which calls in candidates and hears them. He effectively wants the board abolished and replaced with written exams for candidates. In his view, this would be more transparent and reliable, so that those who have the qualifications and pass the written tests are promoted.
Training in Greece
Under a proposed partnership with the police officers’ school in Greece, 20 Cypriot constables aged up to 28 would go to Greece each year for a four-year course. They would be taught Cypriot criminal law and, on their return, serve a two-year probation before taking up duties as inspectors. The ministry believes this would strengthen the force with well-trained, fully qualified officers.
MMAD in the districts
One of the main changes the Ministry of Justice and Public Order is pursuing is the creation of MMAD units within the district police divisions, as already happens with traffic police and the departments dealing with drugs, crime and foreign nationals.
Under the current system, MMAD patrols have to be sent from Nicosia to deal with a crisis in another town, losing valuable time. District units would respond faster and also carry out preventive patrols, mainly at night, to deter crime.
Fytiris also wants MMAD officers to be recruited from former members of key National Guard units. Retired commandos (LOK), members of the underwater demolition unit (OYK), former contract soldiers (SYOP) and former military police would be given points, giving them priority for places in the MMAD only.
He would also like to award points to officers serving on the front line, but this would require legislation to avoid breaching the principle of equality. Fytiris has spoken publicly several times in favour of points for front-line officers, and of points for prison guards depending on their posting.
Insurance and recruitment age
The talks will also cover the police’s demand for insurance cover in case of death or total disability on duty. The National Guard already has such cover. In the police, compensation for a widow and orphans currently requires a Cabinet decision. This is expected to change, with the amounts paid in either case set out in regulations.
The age limit for new recruits is also under discussion. At present, graduates can join the police up to the age of 35, and there is no age limit for special constables. The minister is understood to want to lower the limits, so that younger recruits join who can serve more years in the force and on the front line.
According to Phileleftheros, the unions may ask for any change to the recruitment age to be combined with voluntary retirement after 33 years’ service, without the loss of income (a 12 per cent penalty on pensions and lump sums) this currently brings.
Next steps
The issues were sent to the unions on 3 November 2026 for them to study and set out their positions, which they are due to send to the ministry in writing in about 10 days. A meeting of all those involved is then expected to take decisions.
Police working hours do not appear to be on the table. The issue caused a rift between the minister and the police chief after the hours of more than 1,000 officers working shifts were changed, to save resources and improve how the force operates. Extending the new hours to other departments is still pending.
