Greece’s municipal police see a major expansion of powers, including the ability to arrest offenders, following a new ministry framework. The changes, outlined in an internal circular from Interior Minister Thodoros Livanios, push the service into a 24-hour operation with three shifts. The plan also calls for new equipment, including bulletproof vests, handcuffs, and a police defense baton. Municipal officers will have authority in areas that used to be handled by traffic police, including illegal parking, checks of drivers and vehicles, and the immobilisation of vehicles. They will also be able to verify driving licences and the safe transport rules. The duties extend beyond cars, with enforcement planned for bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles and scooters. Officers will crack down on illegal stopping and parking in charging spots for electric vehicles. The new framework also covers rules linked to parking and vehicle compliance, including cases involving alleged payments to find parking spaces and checks that vehicles carry the required devices. The update builds on existing municipal police responsibilities, such as regulating traffic, monitoring controlled parking, enforcing compliance with traffic lights and regulatory signs, and checking air emissions, including possession of required pollution cards. Officers can also remove traffic items under their remit. The new status for municipal police officers includes recognition in specific cases as special investigating personnel, with the power to arrest under the conditions set by law. The framework also strengthens criminal protection for them during violence or refusal to comply while carrying out their duties, with the service operating around the clock.