The center of Athens will be policed by a new force, that is police on horseback starting in 2024, Minister of Citizen Protection, Notis Mitarakis revealed on Wednesday, after he signed the relevant decision a day earlier. he also revealed the end of university police and the straightening of patrols.
The new police “force” will consist of 10 policemen and 6 horses.
They will operate from 2024 and their field of activity will be mainly ceremonial, i.e. participation in parades and official events mainly in the historical center of Athens and in other places of mainly touristic interest nd will not patrol.
It is recalled that the General Staff established a “cavalry” unit in early 2022 with the aim to parade at the national day on March 2023, something that never happened. The decision that was met with lots of criticism.
UPDATE: Ηardly was the idea of mounted police all over media and lots of ironic & sarcastic comments on social media, PM Mitsotakis put a bridle on the Minister.
Mounted police will not be established in the center of Athens from 2024, as Citizen Protection Minister Notis Mitarakis reported today, as the proposal was not accepted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Government sources reportedly noted that “Mitarakis proposed the establishment of a mounted squad in the Hellenic Police. However, the proposal was not accepted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.”
University Police
Minister Mitarakis also revealed that another controversial and ‘failed project’ at a cost of several million euros that of the University Police will have a new role.
“The body is changing its role,” the minister said adding that the “1,060 university police officers will be integrated into the force of Special Guards.”
Thus, the question of guarding the Universities now passes to the rectors.
“They will not be gatekeeper at universities, they will not enter universities to act as gatekeepers. The role of the Police will be auxiliary and will enter the universities when necessary”, he said characteristically.
Note that the university police was established early 2022 in the New Democracy legislative period.
Mitarakis announced also the decision to strengthen police patrols.
“From September 1, we want the presence of police officers and traffic wardens to be more visible on the streets,” he said, without ruling out the possibility of an increase in foot patrols as well.
PS I don’t quite understand if the “mounted police” will be a real police with police duties or an attraction with couleur locale for tourists under the Acropolis. Certain is the police on horsebacks will create new jobs.
