Cyprus Police
The Cyprus Police is the principal law enforcement body of the Republic of Cyprus, tasked with maintaining public order, preventing and investigating criminal activity, and ensuring security within the government-controlled areas of the island south of the UN buffer zone.[1]Established in 1960 coinciding with Cyprus's independence from British colonial rule, the force initially comprised two separate entities under the Zurich-London agreements—a Greek Cypriot-led urban Police Force and a Turkish Cypriot-led rural Gendarmerie—which were merged into a unified Cyprus Police in 1964 following the withdrawal of Turkish Cypriot personnel amid intercommunal clashes.[1]
Overseen by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, it operates under a Chief of Police supported by four Assistant Chiefs responsible for administration, operations, training, and support services, with organizational units including six district divisions, specialized departments for crime combating, traffic enforcement, immigration control, and maritime policing, as well as the integrated Fire Service.[2][3]
As a member of Interpol since 1962, the Cyprus Police collaborates internationally on cross-border crime, while domestically it has faced scrutiny over isolated incidents of alleged excessive force, such as beatings of detainees reported by human rights monitors and use of crowd control measures during protests, prompting internal professional standards directorates and external oversight efforts to address accountability.[4][5][6]