To mark the last day of the United Nations Police Week, eleven UNFICYP peacekeepers from the UN Police (UNPOL) were awarded medals for their contributions to peace in Cyprus, in a ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in Nicosia today. The medals were presented by Elizabeth Spehar, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Cyprus and Head of UNFICYP. 

Ms. Spehar expressed appreciation to the men and women for their commitment to peace in Cyprus, especially during this challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNPOL has been part of the Mission since April 1964 and has been contributing to the maintenance and restoration of law and order in the buffer zone.

The UN Police component on the island is formed of 69 police officers and works together with UNFICYP’s military and the civil affairs components concerning civilian activity in the buffer zone, while also supporting humanitarian matters and assisting in return the area to normal conditions.

“I am honored to contribute to the Mission and the communities in Cyprus through community orientated policing, to help create and sustain conditions for a lasting peace,” stated Wayne Butler from Ireland, an Operations Officer at Headquarters after receiving his medal in today’s ceremony.

Peacekeepers awarded are nationals from Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China and Ireland.