Executives and Professional Soldiers’ complaints for duties at checkpoints – Unpaid shifts and lack of organization

Defence Redefined

08/03/2021

Several National Guard executives and followers of our site have contacted us about the issue of their ancillary duties at checkpoints, in cooperation with the Police Cyprus, that aim at the supervision of the measures for the prevention of the spread of coronavirus. 

As is known, officers of the National Guard, permanent staff and Professional Soldiers (SYOPs), along with the members of the Police, are required to assist in controls for the implementation of the measures mainly in central streets and on highways. 

Also read: ASDYK | All members of the Police will be reimbursed by April for retroactive and overtime

The greatest problem is the fact that the National Guard officers who are called to take on duties with the Police, are not paid for these duties which are often performed on Saturdays and Sundays. As far as we know, the National Guard officers who are seconded to guard the airports are paid for those additional hours of work, just like the Police. 

In fact, a follower of our page mentioned that he was called to take on duty on Sunday at 07:00 in the morning until 19:00 in the evening, as part of the secondment of National Guard personnel to the Police force to supervise the measures, without being paid. As they explained to us, no one has informed them if they will be paid for those additional hours of work. Officers who are seconded to the Police for these duties may be exempted from their units, however this does not offset the problem. 

Also read: Cyprus Police Association | “Attempt to fragmentary and subjective presentation of the facts” 

Another issue that arises from the cooperation of National Guard executives with members of the Police is that of hierarchy. As far as we know, the members of the Police coordinate the checkpoints, however, several times the officers of the National Guard, who assist at the checkpoints, are older than the police officers on duty, resulting in minor misunderstandings. 

This, along with the fact that the military staff perform their duties without being paid, has caused discomfort among the staff of the National Guard, who are called to take on duties. 

Another problem that arises is the lack of instructions on the duties of the military staff at the checkpoints. As mentioned above, the National Guard executives perform ancillary duties to support the work of the Police, that is, they do not have the right to intervene in the whole process of controlling the citizens. Therefore, questions arise as to the way in which to act if citizens do not cooperate with the Police. 

In the same vein, soldiers cooperating with the Police told us that last November, and specifically in the incidents that took place in Anexartisias Street in Limassol, they were completely exposed to the incidents without any equipment for or instructions on their protection. 

DEFENCE ReDEFiNED will re-address this matter to present the stance of the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard General Staff. 

Also read: Defence Committee | Ministry’s comprehensive proposal for regulation of staff matters within 15 days