SBA Police Recruits Swear To Serve And Protect

The latest cohort of police recruits for the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) in Cyprus adhered to Coronavirus social distancing rules as they swore an oath to faithfully serve the administrator of the SBA.

On an unusually warm day for Dhekelia, sat in chairs no less than two metres apart, the nervous recruits were excited to attest and start their training as SBA Police officers. 

Formed in 1960, as part of the Treaty of Establishment, the SBA police force now covers the two sovereign base areas still under British control in Cyprus. 

Its chiefs and divisional commanders are British, but all the other officers are Cypriot. 

Speaking to Forces News in January, Deputy Chief Constable Jon Ward, from Sovereign Base Areas Police, said: 

"We are effectively the police force that covers the, roughly, 98 square-miles that makes up the two sovereign base areas. 

“To prove sovereignty one of the elements we must have is our own police force to enable to execute our own laws within the sovereign base areas." 

The force is one of the few organisations on the island where both Greek and Turkish Cypriots work side by side. 

This may be the beginning of the recruits’ journey - they still have up to two years of training ahead of them - but their process began more than a year ago. 

With it being such a demanding role, just joining the organisation is a task in itself. It is intentionally rigorous and tough - testing fitness, logic and most importantly, character.  

Out of the hundreds of applicants, 46 were considered to be this year’s ‘very best’ and of those, 14 began the official training. SBA Police recruit Francesca Haralambous said: 

“It’s been an up and down process just to get to today … [During the process] we were asked what we think our biggest flaw is … they wanted to know how we view ourselves and not just other situations.” 

It certainly was a big day, for both Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike. The mixed new recruits have started their future career and the SBA Police are continuing to be a symbol of diversity within the community. 

However, this important day very nearly didn’t take place because of COVID-19. Hosting a ‘socially distant’ event can pose quite a few difficulties but, in addition, the current legislation surrounding Coronavirus prohibits members from the North and the Republic of Cyprus from mixing, meaning the Turkish-Cypriots were unable to join their peers in person.

Thankfully, with a little technical support, they were able to swear their oath via video link from a safe location. Chris Eyre, Chief Constable SBA Police said:

“It’s exciting for us because we get our new officers, as a chance to bring fresh ideas, fresh people, into the organisation and keep the organisation moving forward.” 

As the event began, the group were openly welcomed into the SBA Police family with speeches from the Chief, the Deputy and the head of the Administration, Major General Rob Thomson, giving them words of assurance, guidance and of course congratulations.