The Greek government has moved to announced reforms to the country's police force following the deadly incident at Perama last week.
Citizen Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos has given the Chief of the Hellenic Police Lieutenant General Michail Karamalakis until the end of the week to complete changes to the top echelons of the police Emergency Response service and to reinforce its ranks with 20 new officers.
The changes aim to improve response to the kinds of incidents that most concern ordinary citizens, while Deputy Citizen Protection Minister Lefteris Economou and a team of specialist officers have until the end of November to complete radical changes to the service and how it operates.
Theodorikakos announced plans for legislation to upgrade the police academy and improve officer training, and changes to the penal code to convert thefts committed on a professional basis into a felony.
The minister did not conceal his displeasure at the way the Emergency Response service has been operating, adding that this is also a concern for public opinion.
