Ministry Of Public Order
Hellenic Police Headquarters

Athens, Feb. 7, 2003

Press Release

The General Olympic Training program, planned and implemented by the Olympic Games Security Division in cooperation with police departments in the country, begins on Monday, Feb. 10.

Training will be given to all personnel of the Hellenic Police, as well as to Coast Guard and Fire Brigade officers, members of the National Intelligence Service and Armed Forces personnel offering their services during the Olympic Games.

The General Olympic Training program covers theory and is mostly informational in nature, with new data included during the course of implementation of the Olympic Games Security planning. This program lasts for one day, and covers Olympic Games issues as well as general security measures.

The goal of the General Olympic Training program is to:

• Brief and sensitize personnel regarding the holding of the Olympic Games in an environment of  absolute security.
• Quickly familiarize personnel with the special demands of Olympic security in order to achieve each individual`s best possible response.
• The General Olympic Training program, which will conclude in June 2003, begins in the greater Athens area; in the four “Olympic Cities and Ancient Olympia” and in police departments that encounter increased problems during the summer (tourist season) period.
• Training will be overseen by officers trained themselves for two and a half months as General Olympic Training program instructors. The latter will serve as commanders or sub-commanders of Olympic facilities during the holding of the Olympic Games.

It should be noted that special instructional material was composed for program by a work group composed of officers from the primary law enforcement entities in charge of Olympic security -the Hellenic Police, the Coast Guard, the Fire Brigade, the Joint Chiefs of the General Staff office, all of whom cooperated with official from the Athens 2004 Olympic Game Organizing Committee. This material will be distributed to the individuals participating in the training program.

On the occasion of the program`s commencement, the Chief of Hellenic Police, Lt.-Gen. Fotis Nassiakos, conveyed the following message to personnel:

“The Olympic Games are returning to Greece, the land where they were born and to the country that aspires to host them in a manner that truly befits a supreme event of rapprochement, peaceful co-existence and sportsmanship amongst peoples.”

– 17,000 athletes and official escorts,
– 8,000 members of the Olympic Family,
– 3,000 judges and referees,
– 20,000 journalists, and
– roughly two million visitors,

will be in our country during the summer of 2004. At the same time, more than five billion people all over the world will watch the Olympic sports and cultural events. During that period, as you can understand, the world`s attention will be focused on Greece.

“The hosting of the Olympic Games in an environment of absolute security is a challenge and a national goal.

“The state has bestowed this task on us. The responsibility we have towards our homeland is great. We must succeed.

“Our powerful weapon is excellent preparation, but also the capability we have as Greeks to positively meet major challenges.

“In adequately preparing ourselves, with excellent training, modern equipment, and above all, with a spirit of sincere cooperation, I am certain that we will also achieve our goal together. Hellenic Police, the Coast Guard, the Fire Brigade, the National Intelligence Service and the Armed Forces will do their duty.

I call on each and every one of you, regardless of rank and position, to offer your best.”

General Olympic Training is part of the wider training program for the Olympic Games planned by the Olympic Games Security Division. Additionally, a specialized training programme for Hellenic Police officers regarding security needs for the Olympic Games is underway. This training is being implemented autonomously or in cooperation with the Olympic Advisory Group, both in Greece and overseas.

Within the framework of the special training programs, the following have been scheduled:

– Advanced training of instructors in VIP protection
– Training of instructors in evasive and safe driving
– Advanced training of special forces members in forced entry techniques into buildings; closed quarters combat; hostage rescue
– Staff training in special techniques regarding the comparison of photos, identification of photos and medium, certifying the authenticity of photos and video material as well as composing expert reports.
– Staff training in the recreation of crime scenes through photography and photo programmetry.
– Olympic information center/ information analysis
– Training negotiators
– Training to counter bio-chemical and nuclear threats

Moreover, a series of special training seminars have been planned for personnel regarding bomb disposal, self-defense, VIP protection, traffic codes, IT systems, crisis management, special law enforcement interventions etc.

In general, 2003 is a year for Olympic training for personnel from all relevant agencies and bodies involved in Olympic Games security.

In order to meet the needs of Olympic Games security training, the Ministry of Public Order has decided to establish 12 Olympic Training Centers, all equipped with the latest equipment. Out of the 12 centers, four will operate in the greater Athens area, while others will operate in Thessaloniki, Komotini, Naousa, Karditsa, Grevena, Rethymno, Patra and Ioannina.

It should also be noted that the training centers will be yet another post-Olympics benefit for Greece, allowing for the continuous training of Hellenic Police staff and officers following the 2004 Olympic Games.

More for information: tel: 210 6977505
Fax: 210 6929764
E-mail: elasgrty@mopo.gr