Athens, 6-10-2004

• In assuming the post of Hellenic Police Chief I would like to express my thanks to the Government, and in particular the Minister of Public Order for the exceptional honour they have bestowed on me.
• I have assumed leadership of the Hellenic Police fully aware of the responsibilities and obligations that my selection for this post entails.
• This is an extremely special day for me. Reaching the top rank of the Police Force after a career with its difficult moments is the supreme ambition of every officer, but at the same time also signals major responsibilities to discharge the debt that officer owes to his nation and to society.
• Of course, today is a special day for another reason too. I have taken up the reins of leadership from Lt. General Fotis Nasiakos, the Police Chief whose name is associated with the greatest successes achieved by the Hellenic Police. Successes such as wiping out terrorism in Greece, the safe hosting of the Greek Presidency of the European Union and Olympic and Paralympic Games held in a totally secure environment.
• Today these are successes which are a major legacy for the Hellenic Police, a source of added value.
• I would like to stress that these successes were no coincidence. They were not the result of circumstance. They were the product of immense effort, of collective activity, which for some time now has been a key feature of the Hellenic Police.
• Over the recent past we have learned that successes can be achieved by:
  • setting targets high and having a vision;
  • hard work and systematic planning;
  • respecting personal liberties and human rights;
  • cooperating with citizens and building consensus;
  • utilising regional and international fora for cooperation;
  • inter-sectoral cooperation;
  • collective, coordinated action;
  • establishing discrete roles and responsibility at all command levels; and
  • implementing a single, across-the-board system for evaluating and assessing risks and the flow of information.
• These experiences, these lessons are in effect a guiding light leading the Police towards the future. For the Police in the post-Olympic age. The Police which will not allow itself to rest on the laurels of its success, to relax its vigilance, the Police which is called upon to move forward:
  • to secure and improve security conditions in Greece;
  • to continue on a more intensive basis its well-directed actions to reduce crime levels, primarily by means of crime prevention with emphasis of combating organised crime, drug trafficking, people trafficking and cross-border crime;
  • to improve its effectiveness in the road safety and general policing sectors and to deal with everyday problems faced by citizens more generally speaking;
  • to develop international and regional cooperation even further in the current unstable international environment in terms of security both in the Balkans and the wider SE Mediterranean region by utilising experience and know-how;
  • to restructure and modernise its services based on the special features and problems faced by local communities;
  • to utilise and reallocate staff and equipment based on security needs;
  • to modernise the statutory framework and operation of the police force in general by placing emphasis of education, retraining, and staff logistics;
  • to improve the position of Hellenic Police staff as employees;
  • to bolster citizen` sense of security; and to come even closer to citizens.
• Today we have all the prerequisites for achieving these new objectives. We have staff with a high sense of morale and self-confidence. We have professional training, know-how, experience and modern equipment. We have the undivided support of the State and society. We have recognition and acclaim at national and international level. We have vision and prospects.
• However, the key to success is above all the human factor. It is the entire staff of the Hellenic Police without exceptions, without any one being excluded.
• I therefore call upon all of you to work together for success. In this joint effort I believe the role of Hellenic Police staff trade unions to be particularly important.
• Personally speaking, I undertake to do everything I can to achieve these objectives bearing in mind transparency, meritocracy and professional ethics.
• I am certain that together we can achieve this.
• Thank you.
• Chief, Fotis, I wish you good health and every happiness for you and your family. In recognition of your contribution to Greek society and to the Police, permit me, at the very least, to present you with the staff of office of Lt. General.
• Moreover, as a memento of your career, I offer you this painting which shows every step of your rise up the career ladder.