same person a total of two years. Such a person is called Acting Sergeant. After this time period ends, this person reverts to the rank of Constable or Senior Constable respectively, depending on what he was before his assignment as Acting Sergeant. Before the implementation of Regulation 213/2004 this appointment was permanent and not temporary. In 2019 the Rank and Rank Insignia of Acting Sergeant Senior Constable was abolished. Sergeant Sergeant is the first rank a Constable is promoted to. Usually sergeants are in charge of a specific shift at a police station, a squad or a small team. Senior Sergeant A Senior Sergeant is not considered a promotion. Senior Sergeants are Sergeants assigned duties higher to their rank level, they are called Senior Sergeants and bear the distinctive insignia. To become a Senior Sergeant a Sergeant must meet the following requirements: They have completed 8 years of service at the rank of Sergeant and have passed the examination for promotion to the rank of Inspector During the last two years they have not been imposed with a penalty greater than "severe reprimand" for a disciplinary offence and they have been recommended by the officer in charge of their Unit as suitable and well trained in police duties Education and training All police constables (PCs) have to attend a three-year course at the Cyprus Police Academy, which is recognized as a higher education institution. The course alternates between theory at the Police Academy and practical training in the field. Special police constables (SPCs) also attend the police academy for a seventeen-week course. All PCs and SPCs, as part of their training attend the Special Training Center of the Emergency Response Unit for firearms training and other physical forms of training. The highly variable field of law enforcement demands and highly promotes continuing education. For this reason police officers of all ranks continue attending courses throughout their careers. Such courses are conducted by the Cyprus Police Academy or by foreign training agencies such as the FBI National Academy and the National Security School of the Greek Police Academy. The duration of these courses is from a couple of days, up to several months or in some cases more than a year. To assist cross-border common training, exist the Cyprus Police is a member of many international programs and agencies, for example CEPOL. Equipment Vehicles Markings Cyprus Police cars are white with