Members of the Police Corps complained of being served with inadequate refreshments during their long hours on duty during the transport strike.

Notwithstanding high temperatures, officers, who spent long hours under the scorching sun, said they only got a small supply of water and, at times, this was even warm.

"And the food handed out was inedible," complained a police officer, preferring to remain unnamed for obvious reasons. "It was a container of cold spaghetti and a tablespoon of tomato sauce."

A number of officers stationed in different parts of the island were even unluckier, getting no food or water at all.

At one point a number of officers agreed to fork out €1 each to purchase water when this was not served with the small snack delivered to them.

Given the campaigns run by the health promotion authorities, some felt that sun protection cream should have been supplied too. But couldn't this be applied before reporting for duty? No, explained a worried officer, because none of them had been informed in advance where they would be stationed.

"I was informed I was working the following morning just hours before I was expected to report on duty. Or, rather, hours after being relieved," a police officer said.

A number of officers were enjoying their leisure time when they were hastily ordered to report at their station or at the headquarters. Some were also diverted from their regular duties, instructed to wear their uniforms (in the case of plainclothes policemen), and stationed in sensitive areas of the island. Now they also wonder when they will get paid for the overtime worked. "We haven't even been paid for our duties at the counting hall during the general election yet. I wonder when we'll be receiving the overtime earned during this industrial action," an officer said.

When asked about the complaints raised, a spokesman for the Police Force said that, for the time being, the force has no comment to make.

kbugeja@timesofmalta.com