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AGENCY TO PROBE POLICE OFFENSES
Kathimerini
http://www.ekathimerini.com/ 4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100008_24/11/2009_11272 9
Nov 24 2009
Greece
Citizens' Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis yesterday heralded
the creation of an agency to investigate alleged cases of abusive or
violent treatment of citizens by police after sacking two officers
for allegedly mistreating a 35-year-old immigrant in front of her
child in central Athens.
"Those two gentlemen are to leave the police force immediately
and will never return," Chrysochoidis said, referring to the two
officers alleged to have handcuffed an Armenian woman in front of
her 2-year-old child before bringing them both to the police precinct
in Kypseli. According to sources, the officers said they had reacted
after the woman called them "animals" - a claim the woman has rejected.
Chrysochoidis said that a new agency would be set up to probe similar
claims of misconduct by officers of the regular police force and the
riot police unit (MAT). The agency would comprise ministry officials as
well as former prosecutors and legal experts but no active members of
the police force, to ensure that it remains independent, the minister
said. Chrysochoidis also heralded a review of the disciplinary process
currently employed for police officers accused of alleged offenses
with the aim of getting through a backlog of claims.
"The problem up until now has been that the system for dispensing
justice in such cases has been hampered by bureaucracy, a lack of
meritocracy and the absence of a serious examination of complaints
lodged by citizens," he said. The minister noted that he could not
guarantee that such instances of alleged police misconduct would
not occur in the future. "What I am saying is that from now on,
those who are guilty will be punished... we will crack down on
lawlessness and safeguard human rights so that the minority that
behaves unacceptably does not tarnish the image of the majority of
officers," Chrysochoidis said.
The minister added that officers will be expected to display their
police ID numbers on their uniforms to ensure accountability.
Kathimerini
http://www.ekathimerini.com/ 4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100008_24/11/2009_11272 9
Nov 24 2009
Greece
Citizens' Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis yesterday heralded
the creation of an agency to investigate alleged cases of abusive or
violent treatment of citizens by police after sacking two officers
for allegedly mistreating a 35-year-old immigrant in front of her
child in central Athens.
"Those two gentlemen are to leave the police force immediately
and will never return," Chrysochoidis said, referring to the two
officers alleged to have handcuffed an Armenian woman in front of
her 2-year-old child before bringing them both to the police precinct
in Kypseli. According to sources, the officers said they had reacted
after the woman called them "animals" - a claim the woman has rejected.
Chrysochoidis said that a new agency would be set up to probe similar
claims of misconduct by officers of the regular police force and the
riot police unit (MAT). The agency would comprise ministry officials as
well as former prosecutors and legal experts but no active members of
the police force, to ensure that it remains independent, the minister
said. Chrysochoidis also heralded a review of the disciplinary process
currently employed for police officers accused of alleged offenses
with the aim of getting through a backlog of claims.
"The problem up until now has been that the system for dispensing
justice in such cases has been hampered by bureaucracy, a lack of
meritocracy and the absence of a serious examination of complaints
lodged by citizens," he said. The minister noted that he could not
guarantee that such instances of alleged police misconduct would
not occur in the future. "What I am saying is that from now on,
those who are guilty will be punished... we will crack down on
lawlessness and safeguard human rights so that the minority that
behaves unacceptably does not tarnish the image of the majority of
officers," Chrysochoidis said.
The minister added that officers will be expected to display their
police ID numbers on their uniforms to ensure accountability.