Matthew Xuereb
Suspect already facing charges of working as bouncer illegally
A soldier who faces charges of seriously injuring a man while working as a bouncer at the Gianpula night club has pending criminal proceedings for working as a bouncer without a licence.
Stephen Ciangura is a majority shareholder in a security company, Executive Security Services Ltd, which provides bouncers for places of entertainment. The company was registered with the Malta Financial Services Authority in September 2008.
The 32-year-old Rabat man will be charged with seriously injuring 25-year-old Renè Brincat, who had his jaw kicked in two weekends ago.
The incident happened at about 2.30 a.m. on August 15 at Gianpula nightclub in the limits of Rabat. He was there with two friends.
Mr Brincat claims the bouncer falsely accused him of urinating against a wall and an argument ensued. He was set upon and the bouncer allegedly fractured his jaw in a blow with the knee, he alleges. Records in the Law Courts Registry indicate he was charged with operating as a private guard without a licence issued by the Police Commissioner in February this year and the case is still pending.
Bouncers require a special licence under the Private Guards and Local Wardens Act, which also lays down that applications by members of the armed forces, the police or prison services would not be accepted.
Contacted yesterday, a former member of the armed forces said that any army officer had to apply for permission from the commander for any part- time job, more so if the job was in conflict with one's role as a soldier. Even to work as a waiter, permission was required.
He said there were many people in the uniformed corps who worked as bouncers, adding that he personally believed army officers should not have a part-time job in the security industry because it was in conflict with their primary job.
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G Falzon
Aug 29th 2009, 09:54
We are moving rapidly from the pan to the fire! Oh dear Malta!
It is a known secret that our nightspots are guarded by serving police and soldiers as bouncers......at times ensuring that the law is broken with impunity rather than vice-versa. Why do our forces of order in most cases expect continual prodding to act where the law is broken? Something needs to be done and urgently.
J Oatmon
Aug 29th 2009, 07:45
These bouncers should be made to display their ID/Licence at all times, and this licence must have a large easily read number on it and a photograph.
They way it is now, anyone can be a bouncer the public cannot see if they are illegal or really licensed.
There is nothing to stop 'known criminals, gang members and prone to violence types' from acting as unofficial bouncers.
They need to be properly registered (maybe with their details on the gov website for the public to see), wear their ID badge at all times, when working (or say a Euro 300 fine), with regular police checks.
Or we can continue to 'muddle through' and have more senseless beatings, and deaths from these 'above the law' bouncers.
c. camilleri
Aug 28th 2009, 19:05
When seriousness and discipline were the Police Force main forte policemen were not even allowed to enter coffee shops let alone act a bouncers or having drinks at certain bars in Paceville or attending discos where one can get easily involved in quarrels.
W Spencer
Aug 28th 2009, 17:09
Is the AFM a part-time force ? How do the AFM get so much free time that they can take on a second job ??
We used to have night training, week end training, traing abroad, etc, and never had time to get a second job !!
Robert Callus
Aug 28th 2009, 16:59
''Bouncers require a special licence under the Private Guards and Local Wardens Act''
Another reason why the establishment, not only the bouncer should be held responsible. It is their duty to check if the person they are employing has the necessary permissions
c. camilleri
Aug 28th 2009, 15:35
Members in uniforms should not be allowed to perform other duties which can compromise their jobs. I cannot understand how a police officer or a soldier who work as security in a bar can do his proper job when on duty at the same locality. Too much familiarity breeds corruption. And we have enough of this already.
Eric Camilleri
Aug 28th 2009, 14:43
Ms Lorainne Vella
The issue I raised is not if the suspect acted with accessive force or not. That will be determined by the investigation. The issue (as highlighed in this article) is the statement that AFM members should not have a part time job. Fine but only if they are logically and morally given a decent salary and bonus equivalent to the responsabilities and risks AFM members have to endure in their daily AFM job. Pity that due to irrational salaries the AFM risks loosing some of its best elements. In commerce, the trained human resource is the best asset. Loose that asset and one would be loosing what was invested. With all due respect, today's AFM has nothing to do with the Dejma era, were one got "employed" in the Dejma just to have a job (if you could call it so). Today one is in the AFM because of dedication to his duties. However everyone needs to take decent bread home.
V Zahra
Aug 28th 2009, 11:36
And how are the police/armed forces/prison officers supposed to survive & bring up a family on their meagre funny wage without a couple of part time jobs on the side?! What archaic ridiculous law is this that they cannot have a part time job, What conflict of interest?!
Lorraine Vella
Aug 28th 2009, 11:33
@Eric Camilleri
Wages have got nothing to do with the way this suspect allegdly acted. If soldiers or police wish to do a part-time job, it is up to them alone, just as long as they follow the right procedures. But no one has the right to act in such a manner, police or not.
D SCHEMBRI
Aug 28th 2009, 11:32
Well said Eric!!
Eric Camilleri
Aug 28th 2009, 09:50
Presumingly if AFM members are paid a deserving good salary then they won't need to seek part time jobs, of whatever nature.