**Title: Police Union Raises Concerns Over Handling of Mental Health Cases in Cyprus**
**Date: September 10, 2026**
In a recent session of the Health Committee of the Cypriot Parliament, Nikos Loizidis, the press spokesman for the Isotita police union, highlighted serious concerns regarding the handling of mental health patients by law enforcement officers in Cyprus. Loizidis described alarming practices that he claimed are reminiscent of outdated procedures from previous decades.
During the discussion, Loizidis recounted the challenging circumstances police officers face when responding to mental health emergencies. He stated that officers often have to forcibly enter patients' homes under committal orders, which can lead to distressing situations for both the patients and their families. He described how officers frequently find themselves acting as makeshift psychologists, attempting to calm relatives while simultaneously handcuffing the patient for transport to a hospital.
Once at the hospital, Loizidis noted that patients are often required to wait in line for treatment, despite existing guidelines that suggest they should be prioritized. If a psychiatrist determines that a patient requires compulsory treatment, officers must return to court to secure the necessary legal orders. In some cases, judges may only authorize the patient to be kept in a safe environment overnight, which can result in the patient spending the night at a police station—often in a holding cell or on the floor with blankets, despite the medical finding that they need psychiatric care.
Loizidis expressed concern over the lack of medical personnel present during these transfers, stating that no nurse is available to assist. He also pointed out that if officers arrive at the psychiatric hospital after 2:30 PM, they may encounter difficulties due to the absence of on-duty doctors, often requiring them to contact an on-call physician before the patient can be admitted.
A particularly distressing aspect of the situation, according to Loizidis, is the physical toll it takes on both patients and police officers. He remarked, “Half our patrol cars, I’m ashamed to say, are covered in blood from injuries to these people, who get hurt outside Athalassa Hospital.” This statement underscores the urgent need for reform in the way mental health crises are managed within the police force.
Loizidis criticized the current Psychiatric Treatment Law of 1997, which he argued places undue responsibility on police officers, effectively casting them in the role of psychiatrists. He pointed out that under Article 36 of the law, officers are required to testify against a patient before a compulsory treatment order can be issued, complicating an already challenging process.
To address these issues, Loizidis proposed the use of modern technology to streamline the legal process. He suggested that video conferencing tools like Skype or Microsoft Teams could allow judges to assess patients remotely following a psychiatric evaluation, thereby expediting the necessary legal proceedings and reducing the burden on police officers.
The discussion in the Health Committee is part of an ongoing examination of mental health services in Cyprus, which has faced scrutiny in recent years. The session followed up on a previous meeting held before the summer recess, indicating a growing recognition of the need for reform in the mental health sector.
As the conversation around mental health in Cyprus continues, the police union's call for changes to legislation and procedures highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in providing appropriate care for individuals in crisis. The need for a more coordinated approach that involves mental health professionals in the process is becoming increasingly apparent.
In related news, the Cypriot government has extended a fuel duty cut until November 30, 2026, and recent developments have identified missing British MMA fighters as targets of a foiled murder plot in Cyprus. As these stories unfold, the focus on public safety and mental health services remains a critical topic for policymakers and the public alike.