Inauguration of the Offices of the Panhellenic Federation of Retired Security Forces Officers (P.O.A.S.A.)

SECURITY - 31/03/2022. Author: Prodromos Peios

HEADQUARTERS OF THE HELLENIC POLICE

Athens, March 31, 2022

PRESS RELEASE

Inauguration of the Offices of the Panhellenic Federation of Retired Security Forces Officers (P.O.A.S.A.)

The offices were inaugurated by the Minister for Citizen Protection, Panagiotis Theodorikakos, and the Chief of the Hellenic Police, Lieutenant General Michail Karamalakis.

On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, the offices of the Panhellenic Federation of Retired Security Forces Officers (P.O.A.S.A.) were inaugurated at the premises of the former Hellenic Police Officers’ Academy (96 Mesogeion Avenue), along with the “Retirees’ Recreation Atrium – Police, Humanitarianism, Solidarity.”

The inauguration ceremony was conducted by the Minister for Citizen Protection, Panagiotis Theodorikakos, and the Chief of the Hellenic Police, Lieutenant General Michail Karamalakis, in the presence of the Deputy Minister for Citizen Protection, Eleftherios Oikonomou, and the Secretary General for Public Order, Konstantinos Tsouvalas.

The event was officiated by the Head of the Religious Service of the Force, Archimandrite and Police Officer (Rank B) Alexios Kourtesis.

The Minister for Citizen Protection, Panagiotis Theodorikakos, delivered a short address, stating:

“The Hellenic Police has always been and continues to be the home for all Greek police officers and, of course, for the retirees, because you are always one with the Force and with the family of the Hellenic Police. From today, you will have this important place which is now inseparably linked to the history of the Hellenic Police.”

The Minister added:

“Our Police is here—humane and friendly towards citizens, tough and effective against crime—and will always include all retirees as its members and advisors.
I will come to see you, just as you come to my office. But I want to come in order to draw from your knowledge, experience, wisdom, and the advice of our retired police officers.”

The Minister also highlighted efforts to strengthen police training through a legislative regulation passed by the government, which provides funding for the Hellenic Police from resources originating from the suppression of criminal activities such as drug trafficking. Furthermore, he mentioned the resolution of a 40-year-old request, relieving 1,500 police officers from the obligation of serving legal documents.

Subsequently, the Chief of the Hellenic Police, Lieutenant General Michail Karamalakis, addressed the attendees, emphasizing:

“Today is a landmark day, as the past meets the present and the future. The family of retired officers of the Police and the other two Security Forces now acquires its own space here, within this historic facility.

The Panhellenic Federation of Retired Security Forces Officers may use this space to house its offices and serve all its primary associations.

Active and retired personnel converge in a single physical space and continue to collaborate and contribute harmoniously, both to the Force and to society at large.

Furthermore, today we inaugurate, adjacent to P.O.A.S.A.’s new offices, the former atrium of the Police Officers’ Academy, which has been renovated and redesigned to be known as the ‘Retirees’ Recreation Atrium – Police, Humanitarianism, Solidarity.’ With special symbolic significance, it preserves the connection with the past, both through its name and its new function for the Police.

Today’s inauguration coincides with another historically significant moment—the publication of the first book by distinguished historian and academic author Thanasis Christou, entitled “Seeking the Guilty and Imposing Order – The Police in Search of a Role during the Years of the War of Independence.” This represents another effort to connect the past with the present.

I would also like to highlight the implementation of initiatives to showcase our cultural heritage through permanent Police Relics Exhibitions at the General Regional Police Directorates across the country and at the Police Academy, as well as through the establishment of a central Police Relics Exhibition at the ground floor of the former Police Officers’ Academy.

I thank the President of P.O.A.S.A., Mr. Evangelos Christakopoulos, as well as the entire Board of Directors of the Federation, for their fruitful and constructive cooperation that led to this excellent outcome. From the bottom of my heart, I wish that your actions continue to honor the glorious past of the Hellenic Gendarmerie, the City Police, the Hellenic Police, and the other two Security Forces—the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Fire Service.

Congratulations on your new home.

Thank you for being the past and for building our future.

Thank you!”

Following this, short addresses were delivered by the President of the Panhellenic Federation of Retired Security Forces Officers, Retired Major General Evangelos Christakopoulos, and the General Secretary of the Federation, Retired Lieutenant General Odysseas Koutsopodiotis, who presented the Chief with a historical relic dating back to the battle and occupation of Crete by the Germans during World War II, intended to become part of the planned Museum of the History of the Hellenic Police.

As part of the event, the unveiling of the marble plaque of the “Retirees’ Recreation Atrium – Police, Humanitarianism, Solidarity” took place, which had been renovated and redesigned.

Finally, in the new atrium, three olive trees were symbolically planted by the political and police leadership, as well as by members of P.O.A.S.A.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Chief of the Police, Lieutenant General Andreas Daskalakis; the Chief of Staff of the Hellenic Police Headquarters, Lieutenant General Konstantinos Lagoudakis; the General Inspector of Police for Southern Greece, Lieutenant General Georgios Gianninas; the Head of the Administrative Support and Human Resources Branch, Major General Christos Kondylis; Directors of independent central services; Directors of the Headquarters’ departments and of the Attica General Police Directorate; active and retired officers; and representatives of Trade Union Federations and Associations.

It is noted that throughout the ceremony, health measures in force for the protection of public health and the prevention of further spread of COVID-19 were strictly observed.