The Hellenic Police (Greek: Ελληνική Αστυνομία, Elliniki Astynomia, abbreviated ΕΛ.ΑΣ.) is the national police force of Greece. It is a very large agency with its responsibilities ranging from road traffic control to counter-terrorism. Its current chief is Police Lieutenant General Nikos Papagiannopoulos.
The Hellenic Police force was established in 1984 under Law 1481/1-10-1984 (Government Gazette 152 A) as the result of the fusion of the Gendarmerie (Χωροφυλακή, Chorofylaki) and the Cities Police (Αστυνομία Πόλεων, Astynomia Poleon) forces.
According to Law 2800/2000, the Hellenic Police is a security organ whose primary aims are:
- Ensuring peace and order as well as citizens' unhindered social development, a mission that includes general policing duties and traffic safety.
- Prevention and suppression of crime as well as protecting the state and its democratic form of government within the framework of the constitutional order, a mission which includes the implementation of public and state security policy.
The Hellenic Police is constituted along central and regional lines. The force takes direction from the Minister for Citizen Protection.
The force consists of police officers, civilians, border guards and Special Police Guards.
Read more about Hellenic Police: Current Issues, Controversies, Transportation, Equipment, Academy of Police
Famous quotes containing the word police:
“Well, intuition isn’t much help in police work. Facts are what we need.”
—Crane Wilbur (1889–1973)