Controversial former Police Commissioner, John Cachia died yesterday aged 92, four months after fracturing his hip in a fall.

He was meant to return home last Monday after months in hospital, first at Mater Dei and then at Zammit Clapp but his condition took a turn for the worse some days ago.

"I lost my father for the second time," said Carmen Degabriele, whose family took care of Col Cachia in his old age since he had no children.

She said they were extremely close, even though they were not related by blood and described him as "the greatest... good, kind and very sharp".

Col Cachia, known to be a colourful character, was Police Commissioner between 1977 and 1980. He was then appointed the first commander of the Task Force, a unit composed of officers and men from the Armed Forces of Malta and the police.

Controversially, in early 1987, Col Cachia invaded the precincts of the House to protest at then Opposition Leader Eddie Fenech Adami while he was making a very critical speech in the wake of the Tal-Barrani incidents. A breach of privilege complaint was immediately raised but no action was ever taken.

Col Cachia retired on the change of government in 1987.

His personal assistant for several years and former head of Civil Protection, Peter Cordina, said Col Cachia was an excellent leader who was always very outspoken and frank.

"At the end of the day, everybody liked his kind of leadership," Mr Cordina said, adding that they did not always get along.

"He was humane. He became Police Commissioner after working his way up through the ranks, so he knew how everyone in the police force felt.

"He was not a cruel man. He was always there to help," he said.

Former Finance Minister Lino Spiteri said Col Cachia was committed to his work and, although not everybody agreed with him all of the time, "he did it to the best of his ability".

Funeral Mass will be said tomorrow at 2.30 p.m. at Cospicua parish church.