The Institute of Public Security (IPS) of the University of Nicosia was established in 2019 as Institute of Public, Cyber and National Security. The global pandemic forced the institute to considerably limit the activities and goals it had set. Nevertheless, the future looks bright, as we have revised the institute’s goals, with an emphasis on developing innovative approaches to addressing the ever changing policing and public security challenges.

IPS is an interdisciplinary centre bringing together research and teaching staff from all Schools of the University of Nicosia (UNIC) with an interest in public security, community safety, criminal justice, crime, new forms of crime and new technologies, and international leaders in their respective fields, representing a variety of backgrounds, skills and approaches that were put together to create this unique professional training opportunity.

Within the spectrum of its aims, IPS has worked successfully towards UNIC’s target in becoming a Framework Partner of CEPOL, the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training.

As a multidisciplinary Institute the IPS:

• Represents UNIC in its role as a Framework Partner of CEPOL.
• Trains law enforcement professionals on policing and public security related topics.
• Undertakes training activities on public security and policing in collaboration with partners in law enforcement, criminal justice, and other academic and research centres nationally, in the EU and internationally.
• Promotes and shares knowledge and expertise relevant to public security, community safety and policing issues at national and international level.
• Forms affiliations and partnerships with national and international professional agencies and academic institutions, for the establishment of joined efforts towards enhancing public security through training, and professionalism for the prevention of threats against societies.
• Encourages multi-disciplinary responses to issues related to public security.

The IPS has an Advisory Board drawn from former key senior positions within the National and International Criminal Justice System, Law Enforcement and Security, including the FBI, CEPOL and The College of Policing (UK).

The Advisory Board consists of:

• The Honorable Former Director of the FBI Mr Louie Free – Chairman
• The Former Executive Director of CEPOL, the EU Agency for Training of Law Enforcement, Dr Detlef Schroeder
• The Former Executive Director of the College of Policing, Mr Mike Cunningham
• The Former Chief Constable of Liverpool Police Service and current Professor at Liverpool John Moores University, Sir Jon Murphy
• Professor Dimitris Drikakis, PhD, FRAeS, Vice President of Global Partnerships, Executive Director of Research and Innovation, President of the Defence and Security Research Institute and Professor at the Sciences & Engineering and Medical School (joint appointment), of the University of Nicosia

To achieve its targets, the Institute of Public Security, draws invaluable knowledge, expertise, guidance and support from the honorable members of its Advisory Board.