- 13 13. In certain cases, the credibility of the allegations of ill-treatment was supported by the detained persons’ demeanour: they were clearly fearful that they would be ill-treated, in retaliation, if the law enforcement officials concerned learned that they had complained to the CPT’s delegation. 14. The CPT wishes to add that the head of the Coast Guard Police at Piraeus Port and certain officers under his command volunteered that, on occasion, "some force" was used during interrogations to obtain information from detainees, particularly those arrested in connection with drug-related offences. When questioned further on this point, he made clear that he would not tolerate severe ill-treatment, but consented to slaps. This was said to permit progress in the investigation and, possibly, to arrest additional suspects, and would ultimately be to the detained person’s own benefit, given that the judicial authorities would view positively their "cooperation" with the police. Further, during conversations held with law enforcement officials in several of the establishments visited, the delegation could not fail to note the disrespectful attitude displayed by some officers when referring to detainees, particularly those of Albanian origin. * * * 15. In response to previous CPT visit reports, the Greek authorities have argued that cases of police ill-treatment are few and far between, and that police misconduct meets with appropriate judicial and disciplinary responses (cf. for example, CPT/Inf (2001) 19, page 63). In the light of the information available to the CPT, it would appear that the Greek authorities are seriously underestimating the scale of the problem of ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty by law enforcement officials. 16. The CPT has noted the steps taken to implement the Committee’s recommendation that police officers receive the clear message that the ill-treatment of detained persons is not acceptable and that such conduct will be severely sanctioned (cf. for example, CPT/Inf (2001) 19, pages 41 and 59). There is a need to ensure that this message reaches all law enforcement officials throughout the hierarchy and that they become aware, through concrete action, that the Greek government is resolved to stamp out ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty. The CPT therefore recommends that the above-mentioned message be vigorously recalled in an appropriate manner at regular intervals, including to Coast Guard officers. In this context, the attention of law enforcement officials should be drawn to the provisions of Articles 137A, 137B and 137C of the Criminal Code, dealing with torture and ill-treatment by state agents. As regards the allegations of use of excessive force at the time of arrest, Article 278, paragraph 2, of the Code of Criminal Procedure bans the use of unnecessary violence or restraints. The CPT would also stress that, once arrested persons have been brought under control, there can be no justification for striking them. Law enforcement officials should be unequivocally reminded of these precepts (cf. also CPT/Inf (2001) 18, Part I, paragraph 17).