just some q's

[Chris.Andreou]

im moving over to cyprus in a few months, and i have a few questions, i have tried to call the cypriot embassy, but it just made me go around in circles listening to pre-recorded messages.

i was wondering about the army, as i am a second generation cypriot, how long do i have to go in (especially if im living on my own). does it pay? whats the economy like for jobs? are english qualifications accepted?

as i want to eventually end up in the police force (i do speak greek fluently and write it as well) whats everyones opinion on the forces out there? or even joining the army permanetly

thanks in advance, im sorry i have so many questions. xxxx

[teandto]

I don't know anything about the army, but the police force doesn't have the best reputation in terms of corruption, with a few scandals being in the papers just recently.

Very often family ties will be more importatnt than the law and I have heard of some shady dealings being done.

I did read in one of the papers though that the police here were sending some staff over to england to be trained on how to stamp out corruption in the force. Not sure how accurate that is but worth thinking about!

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by teandto

I don't know anything about the army, but the police force doesn't have the best reputation in terms of corruption, with a few scandals being in the papers just recently.

Very often family ties will be more importatnt than the law and I have heard of some shady dealings being done.

I did read in one of the papers though that the police here were sending some staff over to england to be trained on how to stamp out corruption in the force. Not sure how accurate that is but worth thinking about!

Every so often the police forces (especially traffic police) swap towns for a while.
We seem to get Nicosia traffic cops here, and during the time they are here they clamp down on speeding drivers, dangerous driving etc. Normally if a Cypriot is stopped by traffic cops t hey just say I will talk to my uncle, or brother, or cousin etc and they get away with it as everyone in paphos is related
However when the Nicosia police are here they dont take any nonsense and a lot of people find themselves paying large fines for speeding

[teandto]

Its the same in Ayia Napa/Paralimni, everyone is related to someone who can get them out of any trouble they are in.

there is supposed to be a penalty of €80 for driving a scooter with no helmet and €80 for not wearing your seatbelt but its only the tourists or foreign workers who get stopped while the locals roar around on their bikes without helmets.

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by teandto

Its the same in Ayia Napa/Paralimni, everyone is related to someone who can get them out of any trouble they are in.

there is supposed to be a penalty of €80 for driving a scooter with no helmet and €80 for not wearing your seatbelt but its only the tourists or foreign workers who get stopped while the locals roar around on their bikes without helmets.

I always think its funny to see motor bike r iders with their helmet over their arms like handbags. As though having it with you will protect you.