Achaia Police Force Faces Critical Staffing Shortage

The Police Directorate of Achaia, responsible for policing Greece's third‑largest city and a permanent population of over 300,000 (with seasonal numbers doubling due to the Araxos airport and ferry links), is confronting a severe staffing crisis. The region also manages vulnerable communities in Patras, West Achaia and Aigialeia, which heightens policing demands.

Around 140 officers are set to reach retirement age in the coming months, with official figures expecting more than 30 retirements this year alone. The recent decision to allocate only ten positions for Archifylakes – Antyphastyonomoi under PD 82/2006 left just seven filled, as few colleagues applied for the posts. The Achaia Police Union has called for the immediate filling of the remaining organic vacancies with newly recruited officers, invoking legal provisions (PD 100/2003, PD 138/2006, PD 75/2016) to ensure adequate personnel and public safety.

The union stresses that the current staffing level is “extremely disproportionate” to the operational needs of the directorate and urges swift measures to reinforce the force and protect both officers and citizens.