The official launch of the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (DAOE) took place today during a press conference attended by Mr. Themistos Arnaoutis, Chief of Police, and the Director of DAOE, Second Lieutenant Christos Andreou.
The Chief of Police and the Director of DAOE presented the new Directorate today and highlighted its importance for strengthening operational capabilities and modernizing the Cyprus Police.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The DAOE is already fully operational and has already achieved significant operational results.
A Substantial Change in How the Police Operate
In his speech, Mr. Themistos Arnaoutis, Chief of Police, emphasized that the creation of the DAOE is not merely an administrative or organizational change, but a fundamental reform in the way the Cyprus Police organizes and utilizes its operational capabilities in the fight against serious and organized crime.
The Police Commissioner noted that organized crime has changed dramatically in recent years. “Criminal organizations now operate with greater flexibility, leverage technology, develop international connections, and are active simultaneously in many areas of crime.” The goal, he said, is “to dismantle entire criminal networks, cut off their financial power, and, where possible, prevent their criminal activity.”
One of the most significant reforms of “Police 2030”
The creation of the DAOE is one of the most significant and transformative reforms of the “Police 2030” program, which promotes the comprehensive modernization of the Cyprus Police.
The new Directorate brings critical operational capabilities under a single command and strengthens the link between intelligence, analysis, and operational action. Information gathering and assessment, operational investigations, data analysis, financial investigations, technology, and international cooperation are now integrated into a common framework and shared operational priorities.
At the same time, the DAOE builds upon the experience, expertise, and operational culture developed through the work of the Drug Enforcement Agency (YKAN), expanding this capacity to address all forms of serious and organized crime.
Christos Andreou: “The goal is to dismantle entire criminal networks”
For his part, the Director of DAOE, Mr. Christos Andreou, presented the operational philosophy and modus operandi of the new Directorate.
The Directorate is structured into four Sub-Directorates, which work across departments and provide mutual support to ensure a holistic approach to combating organized crime, with the common goal of preventing and dismantling criminal networks.
- Sub-Directorate of Intelligence and Special Operations (Y.P.E.E.)
The primary mission of the Y.P.E.E. is to collect, manage, evaluate, and analyze information related to serious and organized crime.
- Drug Enforcement Sub-Directorate (Y.K.A.N.)
The primary mission of the Drug Enforcement Sub-Directorate (Y.K.A.N.) is to combat the illicit trafficking and trade in drugs, with the aim of reducing the supply of and demand for illicit addictive substances.
- Sub-Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime (Y.D.O.R.E.)
The primary mission of Y.D.O.R.E. is to investigate and solve cases of serious and organized crime throughout the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
- Sub-Directorate of Strategic Analysis, International and European Relations (Y.S.A.D.E.S.)
The Strategic Analysis, International, and European Relations Sub-Directorate (Y.S.A.D.E.S.’s primary mission is the strategic analysis and assessment of the threat posed by serious and organized crime and the development of the National Strategy to combat it.
As explained, the philosophy of the DAOE shifts the operational focus from individual cases to the overall picture of the criminal network: its structure and interconnections, its financing mechanisms, its international ties, and the financial benefits that enable it to continue its activities.
A central element of the new approach is intelligence-led policing (Intelligence-Led Policing), with operational decisions based on evidence-based intelligence analysis, risk assessment, and the continuous updating of the picture of criminal threats. The DAOE will function as an analysis center for organized crime, with the goal not only of investigating existing cases but also of identifying and locating networks, new trends, connections, and threats.
731 of the most threatening criminal networks in Europe
Data presented at the conference demonstrated the scale and international nature of the threat.
The European assessment identifies 731 of the most dangerous criminal networks, with more than 400,000 members and 118 different nationalities, while approximately 85% of these networks use legitimate business structures to support or conceal their criminal activity.
Europol and International Cooperation – A Dynamic Operational Network
Special mention was made of the importance of international and European police cooperation. Cooperation with Europol, participation in the European EMPACT (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) initiatives, and direct cooperation with the police authorities of other countries are now an integral part of the DAOE’s operational activities.
Operational cooperation with the Hellenic Police is particularly close and substantial, while, depending on the needs of each case, there is also direct cooperation with other European police authorities, authorities from third countries, and international organizations.
The success of the DAOE will be judged by its results
The Director of the DAOE emphasized that the true evaluation of the new Directorate will be based on its work and results. “The success of the DAOE will not be judged by the creation of a new structure. It will be judged by its results—by the extent to which our work contributes to a safer Cyprus and better protection of its citizens. That is our mission.”
Investing in the Security of the Country and Its Citizens
The official launch of the DAOE marks yet another significant step toward modernizing the Cyprus Police and strengthening its capabilities in combating modern forms of serious and organizedorganized crime.
The new Directorate invests in intelligence, analysis, expertise, technology, financial investigations, and international cooperation, with a clear focus: the more effective protection of society and the strengthening of security in the Republic of Cyprus.
As the Chief of Police emphasized, the DAOE is a tangible example of the direction of “Police 2030”: a modern police force that does not merely keep pace with developments, but enhances its ability to anticipate them, make more effective use of information, technology, and personnel, and to respond to threats before they gain greater momentum.
