New SBA police officers ready to serve

New officers joined The Sovereign Base Area Police ranks on November 18 after its latest round of recruits completed their two-year probationary period.

According to a written statement from SBA , the officers - 30 Greek Cypriot and seven Turkish Cypriot - which were recruited in 2020, undertook their passing out parade at Flag Staff House in Episkopi in front of senior Bases officials.

The police constables will now be posted across the SBAs and according to the Chief Inspector, Marcos Petrou, who headed-up the training, they have now reached the end of an extremely challenging period.

PC Paschalis Petrou, from Dherynia, is one of those PCs and the 28-year-old explained why he was so happy to be starting his new career. He said: “It was a very demanding and challenging two years, with a lot of learning both academically and work experience, which I know will continue throughout our careers.”

PC Alptekin Serdenak, who is from Nicosia, also highlighted the academic challenge the training posed. The 35-year-old said: “Definitely a learning experience throughout these two years, building up our knowledge and experience. It is satisfying and rewarding to be able to offer back to our communities.”

Those words were echoed by 32-year-old, Aristi Fournari, from Limassol, who said: “I am very happy and delighted with our achievement and to be able to share this proud moment with our management team and families. “Looking back to where we started from and where we are now, it feels like we have come a long way.”