University senate decries police force in April as illegal

The first official response to the statement by the Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis regarding the placement of police officers at some universities as of next month came on Thursday from the Athens University senate, which said the plan violates the recently passed law on the issue. 

According to the legislation, these specially trained teams answerable to the Hellenic Police will be deployed at universities as of September, at the beginning of the new academic year, after the members of these teams are recruited and trained. 

However, a few days ago Chrysochoidis said that the first teams would be installed at some universities in the second fortnight of April and would be staffed by existing police forces, until the fall, when recruitment and training is completed.

The senate also questioned whether the necessary training and the appropriate selection of officers will be ensured for these forces by April.