Hundreds of firearms (pistols and automatic rifles) are available to police on a daily basis, without ballistic control.
These are, in essence, lethal instruments without identity. As is well known, when firing a weapon, the percussionist leaves a unique mark on the cartridge case that is automatically discarded during firing.
If all the weapons used by the Police passed the appropriate control, this unique “imprint” would be archived and consequently a caliper would be identified. That is, information about the person who shot him would be obtained immediately.
All weapons that are legally given to a citizen, following the procedure provided by law and obtaining a special firearms license, are subject to ballistic control, and therefore can not be used sparingly.
On the other hand, the same does not apply to members of the Police who use mainly pistols. “What happens when a police officer shoots with a service pistol while on duty, but does not state the incident because he did not follow the legal procedures? If he collects the calyxes already, it is impossible for traces to be left for the shots. “There is still the possibility of replacing the cartridges that were used”, said a person with good knowledge of the whole issue.
Ballistic archive
Based on what is in force, after a declared armed incident, the Criminological Investigation Service undertakes the collection of evidence, while a scientific examination follows. Police officers' pistols are also seized for investigation purposes. And one of the reasons they commit to control is that they are not included in the “Ballistic Archive”.
New police order
During the days of the current leadership of the Police, an attempt was made to put some insurance flaps regarding the use of weapons by members of the body.
A police order, notified to all members of the force at the end of last year (2021), and specifically in October, drastically changed the data regarding the charging of weapons.
Now, following the instruction given by the Headquarters, the vast majority of police officers are charged with weapons only before taking up their duties. And this only if necessary and depending on the type of duty.
Simply put, the permission of several members of the force to “carry” a pistol out of service has now been revoked.
The exceptions
Of these new restrictions, which took effect in October, specific categories of police officers were excluded. These are members of the body who serve in positions that the leadership deemed crucial. These officers are conditionally allowed to carry weapons off duty.
Members are therefore excluded from the prohibitions, and due to the nature of their duties:
(1) of the Crime Detection Departments
(2) of the Crime Prevention Unit
(3) of the Motorized Immediate Action Unit
(4) of the operational department of the Aliens and Immigration Service
(5) of the Anti-Drug Service
(6) members whose mission is to respond immediately to incidents (so-called active shooters)
(7) of the Traffic Headquarters
(8) whose mission is the security of personalities
(9) of the members of the guard of senior officers of the Police
All of the above, ie police officers who fall into the above categories, are allowed to carry weapons off duty, provided that they obtain a special duration permit.
In fact, the police order explicitly states that “no other type of weapon will be issued, other than pistols and revolvers, except in cases where there are serious reasons and if the type of duty performed by the member requires another type of weapon.”
Extreme scenario, but…
Of course, despite these new measures, which aim at reckless / arbitrary carrying and use of weapons, the gaps remain. The reason is that pistols change holders and are not charged to a person.
We asked for the opinion of an expert, who commented: “If an ordinary policeman is charged with a specific pistol in the morning and uses it illegally without declaring it, he can not be identified with the weapon. If it is realized after days that it was used illegally, with which police officer will the pistol be identified? With the new way of charging weapons, a pistol will change many police hands. How does he identify with an illegal activity that we will not know exactly when it happened? “
The contradiction
Of course, there is controversy over this new measure. It is reported that what the leadership is achieving is to significantly reduce the possibility of misuse of a weapon by a police officer.
A trained person told “P” the following: “In countries like the USA, the head of a police officer, if he is found to be psychologically vulnerable, has the power to remove his weapon until he is evaluated. There are no similar mechanisms in Cyprus. And we have seen in the recent past cases of suicide of members of the force. We do not need to expand. It is a measure with a logical basis that aims at a specific parameter “.
The question
Trying to answer the question why the large number of weapons is not under ballistic control, we received the information that when this was pursued a few years ago, it was found that in the absence of appropriate means, it would take a very long time to achieve this.
It should be noted here that “P” tried to obtain information from official channels on the whole issue, however, people in responsible positions with whom we spoke repeatedly referred to sensitive information.
3 – The issue was included in the agenda of the Minister in order to be more informed by the Minister of Justice about the actions taken on the basis of what was agreed last September.
4- A large number of licenses have been granted for the purpose of guarding the naturalized.
The case brought to light by “P” with a series of publications last summer (July-August) and concerns the special weapons licenses granted to various categories of persons seems to remain pending.
The latest tangible development has to do with the fact that the issue was raised again for discussion at the Council of Ministers on 9 November.
Due to the nature of the issue, no specific information has been leaked about what was discussed between government officials.
It is taken for granted, however, that it was included in the agenda for a new briefing by the Minister of Justice, Stefis Drakou, in relation to its actions based on what had been agreed last September.
It should be recalled that in the first month of autumn, for the first time, the issue of reviewing firearms licenses was raised, as well as a change in the relevant law. It was decided, in particular, to legislate so that the approval of the Council of Ministers is not required for the issuance of firearms licenses.
In addition, the need to better assess license applicants seems to have been highlighted. Let us remind here that according to our publication, a wanted Russian businessman had received a Cypriot passport, but also three weapons licenses, one for himself and two for his Greek Cypriot security guards. His case was typical.
What emerges is that there are concerns about the parameters of a possible new legislation on firearms licenses. The whole issue does not seem to be so simple.
Although many justify. Secrecy in relation to the whole case, citing sensitive information and security issues, however things are very different and much simpler.
The issue raised with facts and documents, indicated that with the intervention of third parties in some cases some were allowed to move with a weapon in the Republic of Cyprus, in violation of laws and rules.
He was a businessman who used bullets and when he was found out after his arrest for a criminal case under investigation, he was given a remission of sins.
Another person, who had criminal convictions and was targeted by the Anti-Drug Service (YKAN), received a pistol after pressure from third parties.
We also had cases in which an intelligence service had a negative attitude towards some applicants, but it was not listened to. Eventually he was found to be circulating with a weapon a person who allegedly had relations with the underworld and was involved in a financing case.
The government, therefore, is not called upon to provide confidential information about specific persons, but to inform about the corrective actions it intends to take.
Weapons for guards…
Apart from the impunity that was observed with the granting of firearms licenses, there is another similar issue that caused questions. In several cases, Greek Cypriots performing the duties of naturalized guards received weapons licenses as private guards.
And yet as such they should not have such a license, according to the relevant legislation. The 2007 Law on Private Security Offices states, among other things: a private security guard or a member of staff, or (b) a person who has been authorized to establish and operate a private security office;
Other persons state that the licenses were granted on the basis of the provisions of the Firearms and Non-Firearms Law of 2004 (113 (I) / 2004).
The process
The request for securing a firearms license is submitted to the respective Chief of Police. The latter notifies the Security Committee of the Police Headquarters, which will be called to examine. The Security Committee consists of the current Deputy Chief of Police, the four Assistant Chiefs of Police, as well as two heads of intelligence services. These are seven people who have the right to vote. The commander of YKAN and the police directors of the provinces where the applicants reside participate and have an advisory role in the committee. After the candidate to obtain a firearms license is evaluated and all the relevant information about him is reported, the members of the committee are positive or negative in the request for a firearms license. The license is approved or rejected by a simple majority. The Chief of Police informs the Minister of Justice and Public Order about the final proposal, who transmits the decision of the Security Committee to the Council of Ministers for final approval.
The profile of the holders
A large number of licenses have been granted for the purpose of guarding the naturalized. Either they were allowed to carry a pistol themselves or their guards. The latter act as personal bodyguards.
In general, based on data on the profile of firearms license holders in recent years, the following emerges:
• In total, 50-60 people are holders of firearms licenses. The list is reviewed by the special committee of the Police.
• Double digit number of retired police officers. Many, because of their actions in the force, expressed concern that possible criminal elements might try to harm them.
• Five to seven are the politicians who circulate with a pistol.
• Foreign businessmen who were naturalized Cypriots.
Almost double-digit number of Greek Cypriot businessmen.
• Former and current officials of various services of the Republic.
• Very small number of journalists.
• Lawyers.
• Archaeologists.
• Greek Cypriots performing duties in embassies of foreign countries in Cyprus.
The profile of the holders
The number of armaments available is quite large. Suffice it to note that at this stage 5,529 people serve in the Cyprus Police.
The weapons used are reliable pistols and light automatic rifles. They are mostly USP and MP5, respectively.
We present the arsenal of power:
• Heckler & Koch USP pistol (wide use)
• Glock Pistol (limited use)
• SIG Sauer P226 pistol (limited use)
• Browning Hi-Power pistol (limited use)
• Lightweight Heckler & Koch MP5 automatic (wide use)
• AK-47 automatic rifle (limited use)
• CZ Model 75 pistol (abolished but granted in recent years to citizens who have obtained a special firearms license)
• Smith & Wesson Model 60 Revolver (removed)
• Vz automatic rifle. 58 (repealed)
