The Office for Handling Issues Related to Private Security Services - General Information

The Office for Handling Issues Related to Private Security Services at Police Headquarters, was established in 2009, following the passing of “The Private Security Services Law” by Parliament. Its main mission is to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the relative Law (N.125 (I) / 2007) and to fulfill all the obligations and work of the Police that result from the above law.

All the activities executed by private companies in the field of private security services, are regulated in Cyprus, by Law 125(Ι)/2007, (“The Private Security Services Law”).

Specifically, such activities, concern:

- Movable and immovable property,

- Transportation and guarding of money in armoured vehicles

- Inspection of passengers and luggage at ports and airports,

- Private services provided by detectives,

- Installation of alarm and security systems, fire–systems, fire–detectors, closed circuit systems (CCTV),

- Individual personal protection,

- Protection for the running of conferences, exhibitions, athletic events etc.

For this aim, The Office for Handling Issues related to Private Security Services issues on behalf of the Chief of Police, licenses for private security offices, as well as authorizations for guards and private security guards.

• According to Law 125(Ι)/2007, (΄The Private Security Services΄ Law), an application in writing must be submitted to the Chief of Police by the Director or the Owner of a company that wishes to obtain a licence for providing private security services.
• Moreover, according to the above mentioned Law, services such as the design, installation and maintenance of remote alarm systems and camera systems (CCTV), can also be provided by Private Security Companies.
• Also, in order to provide the above-mentioned security and detective services, employees of private security companies must submit through their company, an application in writing to the Chief of Police.
• Therefore, a person who intends to establish and operate private security services company / desk, or wishes to obtain authorization to be a private security guard or guard, must submit an application accompanied by the Certificates/Documents, which are listed in this application.

The Cyprus Police Website can also provide information about the following:

• ANNOUNCEMENTS of The Office for Handling Issues related to Private Property Security Services
• The Private Security Services Law (N. 125 (I)/2007),
• Registered Licensed Private Security Service Offices,
• Non–Licensed Private Security Service Offices,
• Registered Colleges and Persons, providing Security Training Programms,
• Information about the procedure for the issue of medical certificates for guards
• Information about fees

The Chief of Police has the authority to issue a License for a company to provide private security services, only if the applicant(s) (the guards or in case of a company the Owner / or the Director as well as the Secretary and all Shareholders of the company) meet the following criteria:

· Is over eighteen (18) years of age, and a Cypriot citizen or citizen of a E.U. Member State (identity card/passport/yellow slip).

· In the case of a male applicant he must have completed his military service (Army Discharge Papers) (only for Cypriot citizens),

· Is certified to be physically fit following an examination by a Government Medical Officer (only for employees),

· Possess a Certificate for the Registered Office, the Directors, the Secretary and the Shareholders, from the Department of Registrar of Companies and Official Receiver (in Cyprus),

· Possess a Certificate of Registration (Yellow Slip) {for citizens of E.U. Members States who live and work in Cyprus}

· Has not been dismissed from the Public Service or the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Police, the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus or of any other European Member State for a disciplinary offence which involves the lack of integrity or moral indecency,

· Does not hold a position in the Public Service or Department of Education, the Police or the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus or of any other European Member State,

· Is not an employee of a legal person under public administrative law,

· Is not a user of any narcotic drugs or other psychotropic substance,

· Does not suffer from mental illness which, according to the judgment of the Chief of Police, constitutes him/her unable to carry out his/her duties,

· Is not a manufacturer, dealer, or seller of firearms or explosive substances.

· In case, he/she has been convicted in the Republic of Cyprus or abroad (in any other country) of any of the offences referred to below, he/she must be rehabilitated under the Rehabilitation of Convicted Persons Law, (Police Clearance Certificate):

a. manslaughter, rape, premeditated murder,

b. arson, attempted destruction of property by the use of explosive substances,

c. Import, possession, manufacture, storage or transport of explosive substances according to section 40 of Article 4 of the Explosive Substances Law, with the exception of the possession of cartridges for Category D firearms of the Firearms and Other Arms Law,

d. Illegal import, possession and use of firearms of Category A, B, or C, according to the Firearms and Other Arms Law,

e. Illegal possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs,

f. Robbery, burglary, theft, demanding property by threats, malicious damage or incest,

g. Trafficking in human beings, trafficking in children, trafficking in human organs, labour exploitation, sexual exploitation of adults, sexual exploitation of minors, child pornography and keeping a brothel contrary to the law on the Combating of Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons and Protection of Victims 87(1)/2007,

h. Child pornography contrary to the law which ratifies the Convention of Cyber Crime (Child pornography),

i. Gambling,

j. Gambling machines,

k. Offences related to lack of fairness or moral obscenity.