The Cyprus Police are undergoing a reorganisation to address past shortcomings, including missed emergency calls and inadequate domestic violence support, such as was the case in the femicide case in Paphos.
A key aspect of the reform is the establishment of a unified call centre at Police Headquarters. Scheduled to launch in early 2025, this centre, will serve as the single point of contact for all police calls nationwide.
Philenews reports that specially trained officers will staff the call center, assessing calls and routing them to the appropriate department within the relevant province. This aims to ensure timely responses and prevent critical calls from going unanswered, potentially saving lives.
The necessary equipment for the call center, referred to as “C3” by British experts, has already arrived, with a potential location being the former National Guard Headquarters near Police Headquarters.
The reform is a response to past incidents where misjudgments led to missed emergency calls and tragic outcomes. A recent Paphos case where a domestic violence call wasn’t addressed, resulting in a femicide, is a stark example. Eight Paphos Police officers are currently under investigation in connection with that incident.
To enhance transparency and accountability, all phone calls and conversations will be recorded. This allows for verification of information and prevents unsubstantiated claims.
Another initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals is the “Elpis” (“Hope”) application, expected to be fully operational by early 2025. Justice and Public Order Minister Marios Hartsiotis explained that this app offers a direct line for domestic violence victims to seek help.
Potentially at-risk individuals can fill out a form for assessment by trained personnel. If deemed vulnerable, they will receive a code to download the “Elpis” app. When faced with violence, the victim can press a button within the app, sending a signal to Cyta (Cyprus Telecommunications Authority) and then directly to the corresponding police department, enabling rapid intervention.
Philenews reports that the Vulnerable Persons Case Management Unit will handle “Elpis” app requests and provide support through the app’s dedicated button.
