Proposal for Lm2,000 compensation to ex-policeman

The Tribunal for the Investigation of Injustices, chaired by Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, has recommended that a former police officer be awarded Lm2,000 in compensation after he was not allowed to resume work in the police force.

Carmel Schembri claimed in his application that, due to family problems, he had resigned his post in the police force in 1990 after almost 30 years service. He had, on numerous occasions in 1994, applied for reinstatement but his requests had been denied.

Schembri claimed that he had suffered an injustice and that he was convinced he had not been reinstated for political reasons.

He therefore requested the tribunal to award him a remedy.

The Police Commissioner pleaded that there were no legal grounds for reinstatement as Schembri had resigned voluntarily and was in receipt of his pension.

However, the tribunal dismissed the pleas filed by respondent and found that Schembri had suffered an injustice.

The tribunal pointed out that other former policemen had been reinstated within the force, even though they were almost the same age as Schembri.

Furthermore, Schembri had a good record in the force and had been a dedicated and capable police officer.

While it was true that the Police Commissioner was not bound to reinstate Schembri, the tribunal pointed out that other persons who had applied for reinstatement had their request acceded to and that no valid reason for the refusal to reinstate Schembri had been given.

The tribunal thus found that Schembri had sustained an injustice and recommended that he be awarded Lm2,000 in compensation.