A reception was held on Tuesday in honour of the 60th anniversary of the TRNC Police Force and June 30 Police Day.
The event took place in the gardens of the Police General Headquarters and was attended by President Ersin Tatar, Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Zorlu Töre, Chief Justice Bertan Özerdağ, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, military officials, and police officers.
Delivering a speech at the event, the Chief of Police Kasım Kuni emphasized the police force’s commitment to maintaining public order and protecting human rights around the clock, drawing authority from the constitution, laws, and the power of the people.
He stated that their goal is to implement modern and scientific methods that meet the expectations, needs, and demands of society without compromising individual freedoms.
“Our aim is to ensure the application of effective, contemporary, and scientific new methods that will not restrict individual freedoms while maintaining public order. The police are not restrictors of individual rights and freedoms, but they are guarantors,” Kuni said. ,
He also highlighted the necessity of passing certain legislative proposals to enhance their effectiveness in combating crime.
Also speaking at the event, President Ersin Tatar praised the police force’s evolution since the Ottoman period and its crucial role in ensuring public order.
He expressed pride in the police’s ability to perform their duties in accordance with contemporary values.
Tatar pointed out the significance of the police force’s work and noted the pride in the cooperation between the Turkish Cypriot police and international organizations.
“We may not be recognized, but our police force is at a stage where it can cooperate with various international organizations around the world, addressing all kinds of issues from money laundering to other matters. It is crucial that our police force continues to operate effectively in line with the evolving conditions and population structure of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” Tatar stated.
Addressing the young police officers, Tatar emphasized the importance of addressing any weaknesses within the organization promptly and ensuring the necessary support from the government.
“Our greatest wish is to have a stronger police force by filling vacant and needed positions,” he said.
Tatar concluded by emphasizing the need for legislative measures to empower the police in their fight against crime.
“As a government and as a state, we must strengthen our police force to combat every form of illicit activity, ensuring that our state and institutions grow stronger together,” he added.
Following Tatar’s speech, a promotional film about the police force was screened followed by musical performances by the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Command Band ‘s Light Music Orchestra and the Police General Directorate Orchestra, Polkestra.
