Cyprus police reject mandatory triennial psychometric testing for armed officers

The Cyprus Police have decided against implementing mandatory triennial psychometric testing for officers who carry service weapons. This decision was formally communicated on October 29, 2026, by the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, in response to a parliamentary inquiry from Litsa Drousiotou, an MP for ALMA.

Instead of routine testing, the Ministry and Police leadership intend to institutionalize a process involving active psychological support and emergency evaluations whenever an officer displays signs of psychological instability. Officials argued that universal triennial psychometric tests are impractical, time-consuming, and fail to provide effective individualized assessments of fitness for duty. The primary focus of the new policy is the immediate removal of service weapons when serious concerns regarding an officer's mental state arise.

The initiative emerged following discussions held on July 6, 2026, at the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Equal Opportunities between Men and Women. While the proposal for regular testing was initially considered due to public concerns regarding the misuse of weapons, the government ultimately concluded that reactive, targeted interventions are more appropriate than broad, periodic screenings.