CAIRO, Jan 23 (Aswat Masriya) Interim President Adli Mansour said that Egypt has turned a new page in the relationship between its police and people, during his speech at the Police Day celebrations on Thursday.

Mansour, who was appointed interim president on July 3 following the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, added that there would be no return to the police state.

He added that the January 25 uprising that toppled Mubarak and lasted for 18 days "has brought down the barrier of fear and put an end to tyranny and injustice."

The National Police Day takes place annually on January 25, which was declared as an official holiday in 2009 by Autocratic Hosni Mubarak. The day coincides with mass protests against oppressive practices and human rights violations by the police in 2011.

"The police, as an institution, has taken up the responsibility for mistakes done by some leaders and individuals who abused their power," Mansour said in his speech at the Police Academy.

Mansour added, "We welcome entering a new era for the nation that carries the hopes and aspirations of January 25 with the full support of the police, which has its duties determined according to the citizen's interest and puts an inevitable end to the police state."

On his side, Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim said, "Since the June 30 revolution, the challenges and dangers became greater... the police and the armed forces have cooperated to fight these dangers from a sincere national standpoint."

Mansour has issued a presidential decree to grant the "Order of the Republic" to 256 policemen who were killed while on duty in recognition of their role.