Constables awarded for bravery in HSBC heist, Marsascala fire
Four police constables were today handed awards for their distinguished service during 2010.
PCs Kenneth Ciangura and Kurt Gauci of the mobile squad were praised for their devotion to duty under fire when they foiled the attempted hold-up at the HSBC depot in Qormi. The two had been able to return fire and prevent the robbery from taking place. It later resulted that one of the alleged assailants was hit by one of their bullets, a situation which led to his arrest.
Also recognised for their outstanding service were PCs Robert Vassallo and Kenneth Camilleri who rescued a woman from a burning house last September.
The two policemen had been driving on their motorcycles towards the residence of the Prime Minister for escort duties on September 8 when they spotted a commotion outside a house which was on fire.
They dashed to the house next door, climbed to the roof, jumped over a boundary wall and entered the house through the washroom. Once inside, they made their way down the stairs to the second floor, where, although they could hardly see anything, they spotted a moving shadow. It was Marcelle Mangion 54.
Barely able to breathe, they grabbed the woman and ran back up to the washroom. They were initially trapped and because of the thick smoke but PC Camilleri smashed a window, ripping his gloves and hurting his hand. They were then able to push the woman onto the roof and get out to safety.
As the woman was being treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics, the two policemen rushed back inside to remove two gas cylinders they had seen in the courtyard.
The two officers said this morning that they had been disappointed that onlookers who had arrived earlier had not intervened to save the woman, and said they would do the whole thing all over again, if required.
Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and Police Commissioner John Rizzo praised the four officers for their service and bravery.
A trophy was this morning also presented to the Fourth Police District - which encompasses Cottonera - for having managed to reduce the crime rate by 11.4 per cent last year. Mr Rizzo said this was no mean achievement for the district.
He said that last year was a tough one for the police force, but one which was also marked with significant successes.
Certificates were also presented to long-serving policemen.
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J. Camilleri
Jan 3rd 2011, 19:48
Hope the people who criticized these two men on the day of the incident, realize that they were wrong. These two officers really deserve this and more. You made us proud!!
Andrew Scicluna
Jan 3rd 2011, 08:27
Very well done very well appreciated Keep it up.
William Attard McCarthy
Jan 2nd 2011, 23:43
A Policeman's day to day life is no easy tackle; most of their work always goes unnoticed and unreported unless it's a breaking news item... Theirs is a life far away from home most hours of any given day (14hrs out of 24 on average), during which they come face to face with all sorts of people and situations. They are the "managers" of society, having to take make or break decisions there and then. Well done to these exemplary officers, as well as heartfelt thanks to the rest of the Force for their servitude and protection.
Let us remind ourselves that Policemen are mere human beings like ourselves; wearing the uniform does not give them supernatural powers. It then rests on all of us to help the Force be more effective in reducing crime. A good way to start would be like having someting like this set up in Malta:
http://www.csiworld.org/
J Pace
Jan 2nd 2011, 20:08
It is a good initiative that PC's are rewarded for their achievements and the risks they
face on a daily basis.
Let's keep this event going on a yearly basis.
And a word of advice to Commission Rizzo...Do please wear the uniform when representing
your office, particularly in an event such as this!
mary buhagiar
Jan 2nd 2011, 19:15
well done to the four policeman,i think and thats how it should be these policeman should be promoted to sergents,firing all those shots to the aggressors you have to be brave.Ithink the hsbc should reward something to the policeman too.
B.Attard
Jan 2nd 2011, 18:05
That's what we need efficient and brave personnel.
John Carmel Navarro
Jan 2nd 2011, 18:03
Police Officers are the unsung heroes of society, too frequently the public question as to whether they are doing their job. In the hour of need without hesitation they perform their duty of first and foremost preserving human life; the Maltese Force has a very long and proud history. The four officers concerned by their actions have written yet another chapter. Extremely well done to all the Officers in the Force responsible for looking after us on this Island, the majority of us appreciate the very though job you do.
George Mifsud
Jan 2nd 2011, 16:52
kellu bzon il pulizija kolla bhalhom. welldone police.
Anthony Borg
Jan 2nd 2011, 15:55
Dedicated and brave!
It could have cost their lives.
Well done lads...you deserve our respect.
Thomas
Jan 2nd 2011, 14:40
i must say the bravery shown by these two police force members is admirable, very rarely has anyone show such courage. I am really proud of them. May they be awarded more of these honors. They truly deserve this and much more for the bravery shown!
a darmanin
Jan 2nd 2011, 14:27
Prosit Malta Police Force, b'gesti bhal dawn timla izjed b'kuragg lill-membri tal-Korpfuq xoghlom.
....li kieku jahasra l-F.A.M timxi fuq il-passi tal-Korp tal-Pulizija f'kazi bhal dawn!!
Kim Gauci
Jan 2nd 2011, 14:23
Police officers of the year... I'm proud of you!! You did a great job! You deserve this award!
J. Borg
Jan 2nd 2011, 14:19
Let us not forget all the other police officers who work long hours to ensure our safety. These officers are also heroes. You do not need to get shot at to be a hero. That is terrible and one has to experience it to know how horrible it is BUT all those who work hard without any media coverage should also be praised.
m. farrugia
Jan 2nd 2011, 13:36
well done to all the officers who work hard in the interst of the people and shame on those who help and collaborate with those in the male vita as the italian says. Still these are of a bare minimum in the present Police Corp. Commissioner Rizzi managed to develope integrity in the Pilce CXorp
FB Aquilina
Jan 2nd 2011, 13:29
Well Done! The people of Malta are proud of you!
Stephen Koludrovic
Jan 2nd 2011, 13:23
Quite right that they deserve it.
David Farrugia
Jan 2nd 2011, 12:57
Awards are nice...but these brave Policemen are exemplary and should be immediately promoted!
reno calleja
Jan 2nd 2011, 12:51
Congratuations to these two brave constables. They deserve to be award because they risked their lives when they faced the thieves. They actually shot at several times and they returned fire wounding the culprits.
Let us not forget that it was when one of the wounded thieves got cuaght and arreted that eventualy led to the discovery of the Mafia style organisation that was behind the many daring thefts. After that the jig saw puzzle started to fit.
. Certainly there are corrupted police officers. However there those who like constable Ciangura and Gauci are heroes.
These are the people who should inspire our youth and not the wicked theives, corrupt police officers and judges.
J.Calleja
Jan 2nd 2011, 12:47
Very Well done to these officers. Their acts show extreme courage.
Hopefully some officers which are bullies and use their uniform for bullying or for personal achievement can learn something from these colleagues. (And I'm talking from experience not just to say something negative.) Once again I congratulate these 4 police officers as what they have done is very courageous.
Charles Zammit
Jan 2nd 2011, 12:44
A very big and hearty WELL DONE to all Officers. Thank you!!!
VV Bartolo
Jan 2nd 2011, 12:28
WELLL DONE OFFICERS!
L. Calleja
Jan 2nd 2011, 12:27
Well done to police district of Cottonera and Zabbar. They deserve to be the best police district in Malta and Gozo. There are good officers managing this district. Let us hope that this year the local councils of Cottonera will also follow the success of police by performing better.
Carmel Xuereb
Jan 2nd 2011, 12:21
These four brave policemen shoudhave been promoed to Sergents I remember long time ago when a bank robbery the the policeman on duty at the bank was promoted to Sergent. These bravery acts do not happen everyday so I ask the Commissioner of Police and the Minister responsable to recomend these four brave policemen to be promoted to the post of seargents with immediate effect.
victor rodenas
Jan 2nd 2011, 11:37
Well done to the constables.Very few are heroes and not many are made of sterner stuff.
J.Tonna
Jan 2nd 2011, 11:32
WELL DONE POLICE OFFICERS. KEEP UP YOUR GOOD WORK. PROSIT.
And some said in the ToM blogs that the Police are there for their wages only.
Michael Andrews
Jan 2nd 2011, 12:02
We all after all go to work to earn some money.... thats what we are there for.
however, when people go beyond the call of duty, it is right that we should recognise that fact.
The policemen where brave,very brave and for that we applaud them.
it is no mean feat dashing into a house which is on fire and full of smoke or dodging bullets from someone who is intent on killing you.
A very well done lads and keep up the good work.