Police get closer to people to mark 195th anniversary

As the bulk continue to do their daily duty of fighting crime and bringing people to justice, a handful of police officers are engaged in a programme of activities aimed at bringing the force closer to the community it has been serving for the past 195 years.

The Malta Police Force is one of the oldest in Europe. Its present form is credited to Sir Thomas Maitland who, as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Malta, issued Proclamation XXII of July 1, 1814, ordering that all powers till then exercised with respect to the administration of the police in Malta and its dependencies were to be administered by the authorities under established procedures as of July 12, 1814.

Since then, the executive police fell under the superintendence of the inspector general of police (today, the Commissioner of Police) who at the time received his orders from the Governor.

After the grant of self-government in 1921, the police department became the responsibility of the Maltese government and the first minister appointed, who was responsible for justice and the police, was Alfredo Caruana Gatto.

The anniversary activities opened on July 1 and continue daily until July 13 with an open day at the Victoria police station and activities in Gozo.

The highlight of the activities must surely be the public displays of the Precision Drill Team and the Dogs Section.

The Police band is usually in attendance in most of the activities when members of the Mounted Section and the Traffic Police allow young enthusiasts to ride the horses and have a feel of what is like sitting on a police bike.

Such activities will be held in Marsaxlokk tomorrow at 8.30 p.m., in Marsascala on Saturday at 8.30 p.m. and in Marsalforn today week at 8 p.m.

The Naxxar police station will be open to the public today, followed by that in Żejtun tomorrow and the one at Birkirkara on Wednesday. An open day will be held at the police headquarters in Floriana on Saturday.

The Dogs' Section in Fort Mosta, Mosta will be open to the public on Sunday at 10.30 a.m.