Police in the midst of changes
Two more top officers in the emergency services resigned yesterday, prompting unrest ahead of a meeting today to decide the new heads of the Greek police (ELAS) and the fire brigade. Following the resignation of police chief Giorgos Angelakos on Friday, the head of the fire service, Christos Smetis, and the officer who led the security operation for the Athens Olympics, Vassilis Constantinidis, said they were stepping down as well. Constantinidis was also head of the Security Studies Center (KEMEA), which was set up to trade know-how with other police forces. The bout of resignations were prompted by the new Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras making it clear that he wants some changes at the top of the emergency services and in the police in particular. Northern Greece’s Superintendent Stelios Syros is also expected to resign. Meanwhile, the Government Council on Foreign Policy and Defense (KYSEA) is due to meet today to decide which candidates will take charge of the police and the fire brigade.
