The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has ordered the ‘dismantling’ of the Chania Police Department on Tuesday Jan. 14, following allegations of misconduct of police officers in Crete who did not follow the proper protocol regarding the arrest of a drunk driver, resulting in a shocking car accident that cost the life of a young man.
The tragic car accident occurred last Saturday on Souda Avenue in Chania, where a 22-year-old individual was killed after his vehicle collided head-on with a car driven by a 45-year-old businessman under the influence of alcohol.
The driver, had been stopped and breathalyzed prior to the accident by police officers. However, despite finding the businessman drunk and without a license, the officers did not proceed with his arrest.
The fallout from the incident has been swift, with the Chania Police Department facing significant repercussions. Sources within the Ministry of Citizen Protection confirmed that the police department will be reorganized, and a new head will be appointed from Athens.
The Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrisochoidis, addressed the matter on Monday, Jan. 13, regarding the mistakes and omissions in the process of checking the 45-year-old driver in Chania, emphasizing that “there are no excuses, they should have done their job properly.”
The minister also conveyed that “sanctions and consequences” will be applied to those responsible for potential lapses in supervision and control in this case.
On their part, the police officers involved, claim they were following orders from their superiors.
The Hellenic Police Press Spokesperson has stated that “whatever standing orders the police officers claim they had, they could have informed the competent prosecutor or the commander with a simple phone call and he would have given them directions. Here they themselves know that this man, with this percentage of alcohol, should have been arrested.”
