Greece offers "cop-for-hire" as wayout to raise cash

In a bid to raise cash, Greek police are offering a 30 euro ($39) per hour "cop-for-hire" scheme for private companies or citizens seeking protection at special events.

Police said the service was provided only under special circumstances, such as cases of high-security risk, and that revenues would be used to fund police equipment and boost the state budget. It used to be available for free before a debt crisis hit the country.

"We will provide these services only in exceptional cases and only if we have the available assets and staff. We`ll first make sure that no citizen is deprived of police protection," police spokesman Thanassis Kokkalakis said on Tuesday.

Hiring a police officer for an hour costs 30 euros, according to the law, which has entered into force. A police vehicle escort, for example for the transfer of art works or other sensitive material, will cost an additional 40 euros per hour and a motorcycle escort 20 euros.

For larger-scale operations, police patrol boats can be hired for 200 euros and helicopters for an hourly 1,500-euro fee. Along with other public sector workers, Greece`s 55,000 police officers have suffered wage cuts and layoffs amid austerity measures imposed by international lenders in exchange for financial aid.


/Yahoo/