**Police to Cease Issuance of National Guard Call-Up Papers**
In a significant administrative shift, the Cyprus Police Force will discontinue the issuance of individual invitation sheets for reservists called to serve in the National Guard. This decision was announced by Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis on Thursday, marking the end of a long-standing practice that placed the responsibility of notifying reservists on local police officers.
Under the previous system, police officers were tasked with delivering call-up papers to reservists, requiring them to report for military exercises with their respective units. This arrangement has faced ongoing criticism from police union members, who argued that the additional duty was burdensome given the already demanding responsibilities of police officers.
In light of these concerns, the directive issued to all heads of police departments outlines a phased transition away from this practice. The police will continue to issue call-up papers for a transitional period of six months, but this will be limited to specific locations, including crossing points, airports, and ports. This arrangement will remain in effect until February 28, 2024, allowing the army time to establish an alternative method for notifying reservists.
After this transitional period, police officers will no longer be responsible for delivering call-up papers, including to those reservists who may have previously avoided receiving them. This change aims to streamline the responsibilities of law enforcement and reduce the overlap between police duties and military obligations.
The decision reflects a broader effort to clarify the roles of various agencies within the government and to ensure that military notification processes are managed more effectively. As the deadline approaches, both the police and the military will need to coordinate closely to ensure that reservists are adequately informed of their obligations without relying on the police force for delivery.
This change is expected to alleviate some of the pressures faced by police officers, allowing them to focus on their primary law enforcement duties while ensuring that the military can develop a more efficient system for managing reservist notifications.