The Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection, Mr. Antonis Makridimitris, inaugurated the Information Centers of the Greek Police and the Fire Brigade, within the framework of the 80thThessaloniki International Fair
The Alternate Minister of Citizen Protection, Mr. Antonis Makridimitris, held today (05-09-2015), in the context of the 80thThessaloniki International Fair, the inauguration of the Fire Brigade Information Center and subsequently of the Hellenic Police.
At the inauguration attended the Chief of the Hellenic Police, Lieutenant General Dimitrios Tsaknakis, and the Chief of the Fire Service, Lieutenant General Vasileios Papageorgiou.
At the events attended the Metropolitan Archbishop of Thessaloniki, His Eminence Mr. Stefanos as Representative of the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki, the Minister of Interior and Administrative Reorganization Mr. Antonios Manitakis, the Deputy Minister of Interior and Administrative Reorganization for Macedonia Thrace, Mr. Filippos Tsalidís, the General Secretary of Public Order, Mr. Dimitrios Anagnostakis, the General Secretary of Economic Policy of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Nikolaos Fragkos, the Deputy General Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reorganization, Mr. Janetos Filipakos, the Governor of Central Macedonia, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikos, the Deputy Governor of the Metropolitan Unit of Thessaloniki, Ms. Voula Patoulidou and the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Mr. Ioannis Boutaris.
Also present were the Commander of the 3rd Army Corps, Brigadier General Ilias Leontaris, the President of the National Federation of Entrepreneurship and Trade, Mr. Vasileios Korkidis, the President of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, Mr. Georgios Patoulis, the Mayor of Delta Thessaloniki, Mr. Efthymios Fotopoulos, the Press Representative of Syriza, Ms. Olga Gerobasili, the representatives of the Independent Greeks, Mr. Stavroula Xoulidou and Mr. Konstantinos Zouraris, as well as the President of the Association «’Smile of the Child» Mr. Konstantinos Giannopoulos.
On the side of the Hellenic Police, the following were present: General Inspector of the Northern Greece Police, Brigadier General Dimitrios Sofios, the Head of the Department of Foreigners and Border Protection, Brigadier General Zacharoula Tsirigoti, the General Police Director of Thessaloniki, Brigadier General Vasileios Mousidis, the General Regional Police Director of Central Macedonia, Brigadier General Nikolaos Bantuvas, and the Head of the Cybercrime Division, Brigadier General Emmanuel Sfakianakis.
On the side of the Fire Service, the Regional Commander of the Northern Greece Fire Services, Brigadier General Dimosthenis Anagnostakis, was present.
Additionally, representatives of trade union bodies of the Hellenic Police, senior and higher officers of the Armed Forces and Security Corps, active and retired, representatives of bodies, associations and organizations, as well as a multitude of citizens.
Information Center of the Fire Service
The Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection, Mr. Antonis Makridimitris, inaugurating the Fire Department Information Center, stated:
« With particular satisfaction I heard the brief report, in which the Chief of the Fire Department proceeded with the design of some general Principles that govern the actions of this Department.
My personal satisfaction, and through me the Service Government and -to the extent I can say this- therefore also the State, is high. The Fire Department carries out its mission in a manner that evokes feelings of democratic satisfaction.
Do you know, ladies and gentlemen, that the work you are doing and for which you deserve congratulations, is very important. The Constitution, article 24, outlines your mission, which is the protection of the natural, as well as the cultural environment of our country. This natural environment of our country is inextricably linked to the identity of Hellenism. Hellenism cannot exist over time except in this corner of the planet. This corner of the planet that is our destiny, from God and from History, we have a high debt, a profound debt, to preserve it at the best possible level.
Fires in forests and agricultural areas are frequent, for various reasons, many of which cause feelings of concern. I understand that the mission of the Fire Department is to anticipate, to prepare, to act promptly and, of course, to confront these dangers, which are threatening to the natural, as well as the cultural environment.
The sense of security of citizens often depends on the actions of Security Forces. The overall picture, which I have in the short period of my Service, is satisfactory. Of course, many things need to be done also at the stage of preparation and of the material‑technical infrastructure and the means.
We hope this year, things are as they are at this moment regarding the risks, as the Chief mentioned. Let us think alike, my Chief, and next year. The means, terrestrial and aerial, the human resources, other types of equipment and, of course, foresight have great importance for dealing with every form of natural hazards and disasters.
The intelligent actions that characterize the Body and simultaneously seriousness, I think satisfy the Greek people, which is demonstrated by the trust it shows you, which also entails great responsibility. I hope and wish that you continue to fulfill your mission with the same vigor, the same ethos, the same, if you wish, determination and sensitivity, both regarding nature and regarding our logical makeup.
I am confident that you will do this, because’ that and with great pleasure I responded to this kind invitation to participate in the inauguration. It honors me because it is the first time in my life, I hope it will also be the last, and I wish you all the best, good luck, and in the same way and perhaps with a little more determination, beyond’ what could exist, to continue carrying out your mission.
Thank you very much ».
The Chief of the Fire Department, Lieutenant General Vasilios Papageorgiou, during his speech, stated:
« The International Thessaloniki Exhibition is one of the most dynamic institutions, which for many decades has showcased the country's development opportunities, opening roads for Balkan and European cooperation.
Today, more than ever, Greece continues to support and promote these collaborations, through its development programs.
The Fire Brigade participates in the 80thThessaloniki International Fair in order to showcase its operational and social action, strengthening the sense of security in all stakeholders, an element essential for the development of any productive activity.
The Fire Department, as an operational arm of Civil Protection, strives continuously to improve the quality of its services for the benefit of citizens and society.
This is achieved through the continuous upgrading of training programs, and the training of the entire fire‑fighting personnel, intended to successfully meet modern demands and challenges.
Both the men and the women of the Fire Department carry out their duties with willingness, zeal and self‑sacrifice and complete their arduous work in the most effective way, even putting their own lives at risk.
I would like to make a special reference, in the part of our mission that raises awareness the most among Greeks and European citizens, and that is the protection of the environment.
Every year the firefighting personnel encounter very difficult conditions in the forest fire fields. This year we tried - and I estimate that so far we have succeeded - to respond in the best possible way to the extinguishing of the fires we were called to face.
This was not accidental. It is the result of preparation, from last October to May, and of the ongoing effort ’ the whole duration of the summer.
In this effort, valuable cooperation stood out, with the Armed Forces, the Hellenic Police, the Local Government and other entities. A special mention also goes to the contribution of volunteers. Although the economic situation is difficult, we support volunteer firefighters as much as we can, providing material and technical equipment and their continuous training. We want them as valuable partners by our side.
In closing, I want to assure you that despite the recognition and acceptance of the Corps' work by everyone, we are not resting. We are setting new goals in order to further strengthen the political protection of our country ».
Information Center of the Hellenic Police
The Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection, Mr. Antonis Makridimitris, inaugurating the Hellenic Police Information Center, pointed out, among other things:
«We participate with a sense of joy and honor in the inauguration of the Hellenic Police pavilion at the 80thExhibition . In itself, this event is very important.
Not only for the symbolic commemorative character, but because Thessaloniki has been highlighted in the past, it is now and we hope that it will continue to be a hub of connection in the economic sphere in the Balkans, in Europe, and also in a place where the opportunity to strengthen relations between peoples will be provided.
The ultimate goal is tranquility, calmness, and economic prosperity. This cannot be achieved without good organization. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to tell you that in the short period of time that I am exercising the duties of a Civil Servant and only Minister, under the guidance of my Minister, Mr. Manitakis, I found that the Police are in good condition.
It is satisfactorily equipped, has the spirit, has the ethos, has the professionalism that the Greek people expect from it and that the Constitution mandates. Because the mission of the Police, as well as the other Services of our Ministry, have the utmost duty to ensure the conditions that will allow our people to act unhindered, pursuing a good life and not merely existence.
The picture I have obtained is good. I hope and wish for the Body, under the inspired guidance of the Police Chief and the other officials - because leadership alone is not enough, the staff are needed - to fulfill its duty in the coming days.
Ahead of us are the elections, which must be conducted smoothly, with neutrality by the members of the Body, which I am confident they will demonstrate, regardless of each person's political choices, and we will allow our people to express themselves unhindered, smoothly, peacefully and democratically.
The Deputy Minister, whom I had the honor of succeeding, Mr. Yiannis Panousis, has said many times that the Greek Police is a pillar of the Rule of Law and Democracy. This is very important. The Police is reconciled with the citizen and I am particularly pleased to emphasize this, now on the occasion of this stand: " F eel s afe " , Cyber Crime Division .
Something very important. It shows a technological modernization of the Police for combating this modern form of crime, the online one, which to a large extent – because it is not only economic crime – penetrates even vulnerable childhood.
Congratulations Mr. Leader and through ’ you the Services which you oversee, for the fact that you have highlighted the electronic dimension in crime detection. As you know, the society of people is not a society of God, but it is not necessary to be a society of the devil. The «civitas humana» can be improved, can become better. This is hope.
With these words I would like to congratulate the Body, to wish patience, perseverance, strength, democratic spirit and calm. Our people have traveled a great distance, they have a future ahead of them. From us it is necessary to allow our people to achieve that which they can achieve.
Thank you very much for the work you have done so far, I congratulate you from the heart for the achievements and I wish and hope that we continue even better. Thank you very much ».
The Chief of the Hellenic Police, Lieutenant General Dimitrios Tsaknakis, during his speech, emphasized:
"Once again, the Hellenic Police participates and presents the work carried out throughout the past year, at this leading event of commercial, economic and cultural value, the 80thThessaloniki International Fair.
Thus, this year as well, an information center (booth) will operate, in which will be presented:
- The Feelsafe innovative action platform of the Electronic Crime Directorate, in the presence of police officers of the newly established Electronic Crime Prosecution Sub-Directorate, with a central theme of electronic commerce through the safe use of credit and debit cards. The aim of this innovative action is the joint systematic and scientific study of the issues and problems that arise for commerce and consumers from electronic transactions, as well as the thorough information of merchants and consumers about online risks.
In addition to this innovative action, the audience will have the opportunity to be informed about the activities and the work:
- of the Economic Police, which aims at investigation, prevention and suppression of crimes against the Greek State and the national economy,
- the National Drug Strategy program, which aims to effectively combat organized drug trafficking rings and their cross-border activities and to curb crime resulting from the trafficking and use of narcotics, and
- Naturally the traffic police matters and the latest developments in the field of traffic accident prevention, for the safer movement of citizens on Greek roads.
From the total of the work produced in the past year, particular priority was given to the development of actions that aimed at establishing the relationship with the citizen and embedding the feeling in everyone's consciousness. In other words, the police officer is nothing else but a helper and protector of the values that arise from society itself.
Thus, actions were undertaken that, beyond the others, focused on the following initiatives:
1) To the "Neighborhood Police Officer", an institution that had operated previously and was the most direct channel of communication between the Greek Police and citizens. In short, through this action, the Police Officer acquires a name and surname within the community he serves and understands first-hand the specific issues of a police nature (and not only), since the daily communication and the close relationships he develops with citizens, give him the opportunity for precise, direct and substantial intervention.
2) In the "Mobile Police Units". This institution constitutes a modern model of police management of local problems, and is successfully applied in modern European Police Forces. With these Units we try to achieve the rapid processing and recording of issues that concern local communities on a daily basis, especially those whose geographical location makes it difficult for citizens to travel to the nearest Police Station.
3) In the "Citizen's Hour and the Institutions and Social Partners". Here, the program that further strengthens the relationship between the Police and social institutions, to achieve the best possible result, with regard to policing issues, was re-opened.
4) And finally, the well-known electronic platform CYBERKID.
At this point I must point out and congratulate the Cybercrime Division for its work, which truly touched our entire society, a fact demonstrated by its award at the Mobility Forum & Apps Awards 2015, with the gold prize in its category.
Beyond these actions, I must also refer to the ongoing initiatives that we have continued unabated and have not forgotten, but rather, despite our fiscal problems, we have intensified our daily efforts for a better and comprehensive handling of them, such as:
- the control of the phenomenon of illegal entry of foreign migrants.
- The support with material and technical equipment of our combat units, such as, for example, the dual‑track surveillance of DIAS –DELTA- ’Z’.
- The strengthening of the Services, especially the paramilitary units, with new vehicles, through ESFA programs.
- The immediate strengthening of regional Services of the Hellenic Police with sufficient staff where this is required and
- Naturally we continue to make persistent efforts to combat domestic and international terrorism and organized crime, where, as is known, we have achieved significant results.
Finally, we must not forget the establishment, staffing, and operation of the three (3) very important services in the city of Thessaloniki, namely the Subdivision of Economic Police, the Cybercrime Unit, and the Special Police Forces. The founding of these Services undoubtedly marks a new page for our city, and we expect them to play a leading role in combating crime, with comparable success, as the corresponding Directorates in Athens.
Finally, I would like to thank the President of the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Mr. Vasilis Korkidis, for his substantial contribution to the implementation of the Hellenic Police Information Center, as well as all those who contribute to its operation this year, aiming at the successful presence of the Hellenic Police at the 80thThessaloniki International Fair. Thank you.”
