Dear Fellow Graduates,

Being a graduate of the FBI National Academy myself, I am also looking forward to the 28th European Chapter FBINAA Retraining Session, which will be hosted by the Cyprus Police this year. We are vigorously working to make your participation not just informative, but pleasurable as well. In keeping pace with previous years, we believe that this year’s Retraining will also provide you with the opportunity to sustain your level of professional expertise.
The topic selected for the Conference is, “Legal and Illegal Immigration: Challenges, Impacts and Solutions.” It is befitting that both aspects of immigration, legal and illegal, be expounded upon since the social integration of legal immigrants comprises just as much an issue for society as illegal immigration.
Cyprus, the easternmost EU Member State in the Mediterranean, which is geographically placed at the crossroads of three continents, occasionally experiences an influx of migrants, who for various reasons, such as political persecution, economic instability, poverty and war, abandon their countries of origin for a better way of life. Some resort to illegal means to achieve entry or residence, while others having obtained legal residence, experience great difficulty in successfully integrating in their adoptive societies, with all the ramifications that it may imply for law enforcement.
Law enforcement is frequently called upon to manage crises related to immigration. Thus, if we are to effectively deal with the ramifications of these crises we are professionally obliged to increase our understanding of this issue. We therefore endeavoured to secure the participation of key speakers who will undoubtedly provide erudite and practical insight into this multi-faceted phenomenon.
The Cyprus Police Conference Organizing Committee is working hard not only to create for all participants an environment suitable for the purpose of the Retraining, but also to organize a culture-oriented recreation programme.
I do hope that your stay in Lemesos will be beneficial to you, professionally, socially and recreationally. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing you in Lemesos in November 2010.

Michael Papageorgiou
Chief of the Cyprus Police