Top Cop Takes Over

MOTORISTS were warned about driving standards at a ceremony to appoint the new Chief of Police.

Explaining that the biggest problem in the country is violations of the Highway Code, President Akıncı said: “When citizens sit at the steering wheel of their vehicles, they should feel the presence of our police.”

He said the second biggest issue facing the force was tackling the drugs problem. “Foreign language learning of our police force staff should not be neglected,” he said.

Ahmet Soyalan was appointed at the country’s most senior police officer at a ceremony attended by high-ranking officials, including President Akıncı, prime minister Tatar, deputy PM, Özersay, chief justice, Ferdi Narin Şefik, and the Turkish ambassador to Lefkoşa, Ali Murat Başçeri. He is the 11th chief to hold office.

Mr Soyalan took the ‘service shield’ from outgoing chief,

Süleyman Manavoğlu and handed him his ensign. He said he would continue to reform the force during his period in office. He wants to carry the police forward with the support of the community, with the emphasis on the prevention of crime by using CCTV technology. He will clampdown on corruption and promote more officers to develop the rights of the police also.

Mr Akıncı recalled how, under attack from Greek Cypriots in support of Enosis, the Turkish Cypriots formed their own police force on June 30, 1964.

“We all want a police force that is not disconnected from the public,” Mr Akıncı said.

“The public wants to trust the police force in a democratic, secular social state where the rule of law prevails.”