The Cyprus Police Association (SAK) has proposed equipping officers with rubber projectile launchers and establishing permanent riot squads following clashes at a recent football match between AEK and AEL in Larnaca.
The union is pushing for Manuhrin-type devices that fire small rubber balls with a range of approximately 15 metres and impact force less than a punch, according to a statement released on Sunday.
The proposal comes after serious incidents outside the stadium following the AEK-AEL match, where hooligans allegedly used Molotov cocktails and marine flares against police officers.
“The purpose of these mindless individuals is clearly to destroy property, burn police vehicles, and cause serious injury or death to police officers or even unsuspecting citizens,” SAK said in the statement.
The union has called for a legislative framework defining “proportionate force” when dealing with potentially violent protesters, alongside comprehensive insurance coverage for officers injured or killed in the line of duty.
Additional proposals include establishing permanent riot control units in each district and introducing hazard pay for all police officers.
SAK has requested a meeting with the Minister of Justice and Chief of Police to discuss the proposals, emphasising that “democratic societies operate in an orderly manner and no hooligan has the right to attack citizens and state authorities.”
The union said the violence at sporting events has been escalating progressively over the years, with hooligans increasingly targeting police officers with what it described as “lethal offensive weapons.”
Read more:
