Updated 2.45 p.m.

The government is setting up a committee to look into what reforms are needed in the Police Force, the Prime Minister announced today.

He was speaking as Minister of the Interior when he presided over a Police Day award ceremony at Police headquarters.

Dr Gonzi said the committee will come up with a blueprint for reform of the Force in line with requirements. In this way the country could be better prepared to face increasingly sophisticated criminals. The reform would also ensure closer contact between the community and the police and the police could be in a better position to protect the vulnerable. It would also suggest ways how the police could be more satisfied in their work. 

In his address Dr Gonzi said Police Day was an opportunity for society to show its gratitude to the Police for their service in defence of society.

Dr Gonzi and Police Commissioner John Rizzo handed out long-service certificates to a number of policemen, as well as awards to three policemen who did acted beyond their duty.

They were Sgt Paul Cassar, who rescued a person from a residence that was on fire, Constable Fabio Schembri, who arrested  two persons abusing drugs in Pieta and Constable Robert Vassallo who arrested two persons who were stealing from cars in Ta' Qali, All three policemen were off duty.

FRANCO DEBONO WELCOMES PM'S ANNOUNCEMENT

In a reaction, Nationalist MP Franco Debono welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement.

He said that reform of the police force had been one of the points of his private member’s motion currently being discussed in Parliament.

He recalled that while speaking in Parliament, he had suggested the setting up of a Task Force to discuss police reform. Alternatively, he had suggested that the Strategy  and Planning  Unit within the police force should be reconstituted.

Dr Debono said he was pleased that his calls for reform were being heeded.