PM promises better income for the police
The government has decided to improve the financial conditions of the members of the police force, in recognition of their service, the prime minister said this evening.
Speaking at the Passing Out parade of a group of 70 recruits, Dr Gonzi said the service of the police required sacrifice, commitment and dedication.
The members of the police force were often closer to danger than others and they were often faced with delicate situations, Dr Gonzi said.
In this context, the government had decided to improve the financial compensation given to the members of the police force, Dr Gonzi said.
"We would like to see the income of the members of the police force reflect the work that is carried out, and the complexity of your service, Dr Gonzi said.
He said the government would bring about the improvements responsibly, keeping an eye on financial sustainability to ensure that finances remained on a sound footing and the country would not endure the sort of difficulties suffered by other nations.
The ceremony was the last to be held at Fort St Elmo, the home of the Police Academy for the past 24 years. The fort is to undergo extensive restoration and the academy is to move to new premises currently being built at Ta' Kandia. It will be temporarily housed at the former Umberto Calosso School in Sta Venera.
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Kenneth Bezzina
Aug 9th 2012, 13:45
Passing out parade seems to be a fitting name..... they look like they're about to faint
m. borg (slm)
Aug 9th 2012, 13:41
"PM promises better income for the police"
Note the word promises,.
How about starting by paying the police their overdue overtime pay which runs into the millions of euros?
How strong are your promises gonz when you could not deliver the 6000-7000 jobs at SMART City?
How about the promise the police could have a union?
Marisa Harvey
Aug 9th 2012, 13:31
Dr Gonzi, what about the AFM ....... Isn't their service both locally and abroad done with sacrifice, dedication and commitment???
M.Harvey
K Mizzi
Aug 9th 2012, 12:56
What about the clerical staff?? we are still earning 850 euro/month half the pay of teachers (and we work 5 months more yearly) and 1/4 less than a cadet police...some single mothers on social benefits earn more than a clerk, incredible !!!!
Lawrence Fenech
Aug 9th 2012, 12:56
Gonz, ara li ma izzidhomx anqas min 500 Euro fil-gimgha ghal sentejn jew ghal lanqas sa l'elezzjoni.
Mr Malcolm Abdilla
Aug 9th 2012, 12:31
How the opinions change just after a couple of months, just because the PM is faced by an early election threat.
The Times
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
‘
No overtime payments due to police’
The government has concluded that a claim by the Malta Police Association for overtime payment was baseless, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Michael Falzon (PL) in Parliament yesterday.
Malcolm Abdilla
Eve Axiaq
Aug 9th 2012, 12:17
Another promise! Din bhal ta' l-income tax!
Mr C Camilleri
Aug 9th 2012, 12:10
Elections are near and money starts flowing !
I am not saying the officers do not deserve it but please spare me the smiles Dr Gonzi as these people have been treated badly over and over again through the years and now that votes are needed money is miracolously starting to flow. Money does NOT buy everything. Respect our intelligence please.
Carmel De Gabriele
Aug 9th 2012, 12:06
AH!!!! GHALL-VOTI !!!I
doreen fenech
Aug 9th 2012, 11:50
did i heard good that the government had decided to improve the financial compensation given to the members of the police force, Dr Gonzi you already forgot that your goverment had promised to pay the police force the back date over time and now you are promising more pay.don`t let me liegh or cry .:)
mario scerri
Aug 9th 2012, 11:45
Dr Gonzi tkomplix tidhak bin nies. issa drajnik
Tim Vella
Aug 9th 2012, 11:29
Don't you all just love election time?
William Vella Zarb
Aug 9th 2012, 11:10
Of course, the prime minister makes this promise before the election. This highlights one of the drawbacks of democracy, that the government in power will take certain decisions that will be detrimental to the country and not take certain decisions that would be useful, in order to maximize votes. I have nothing against the police force but I think that there are much better things the government could be spending its money on right now, especially to make sure we are not hit as hard as the other countries in the current economic situation.
victor bonello
Aug 9th 2012, 11:05
Besides the income the Police corps needs to be regenerated.. it needs to be completely revamped. the moral needs to be rekindled, particular characters within need to be reformed or eliminated, etc etc.. GonziPN still believes that by throwing money at problems these are solved..
Emanuel. Vella.
Aug 9th 2012, 11:02
viva l-elezzjoni generali 2013.
A Cachia
Aug 9th 2012, 10:48
Better Conditions and Better Pay....
Now make sure that any of the crimes these people solve get the deserved sentence....
Dunstan Crockford
Aug 9th 2012, 10:33
Congratulations to the new members and their families!God help them and all the Corps in the sterling work they perform whatever the weather! I would like to show my great appreciation to PC 901 stationed at St Julians as also to all the mobile Squad and Supt Bayliss and the Traffic Police who are all over the Island,working under pressure in this intense heat!
The few who make the news should not deter all the members of the Corps from doing their duty with great dedication!
K Psaila
Aug 9th 2012, 10:28
It seems that a new summer parade uniform is a must . You can judge by the amount of sweat visible. Another suggestion, these events can be organized after 9pm. Heat will be less.
Michael Hudson
Aug 9th 2012, 09:55
"Speaking at the Passing Out parade of a group of 70 recruits, Dr Gonzi said the service of the police required sacrifice, commitment and dedication.
The members of the police force were often closer to danger than others and they were often faced with delicate situations, Dr Gonzi said".
Dr. Gonzi, what about medical staff, what about the AFM and many others....... Isn't what most of us do a sacrifice, with dedication and commitment.
Whilst I agree that the police deserve better pay, don't you think that they prefer backing for the work they do and not see the hard work lost, like pardons, light sentences and god knows what.
James Dewar
Aug 9th 2012, 12:45
Yes everyone acknowledges the contribution of medical staff, AFM etc but on this occasion Dr Gonzi was presiding at a Police ceremony and approropriately his comments were specifically directed at the Police Service. I do agree that their work needs to be fuilly supported by their colleagues elsewhere in the criminal justice system when it comes to sentencing etc.
Michael Hudson
Aug 10th 2012, 10:27
Mr. Dewar, ask the medical staff, the AFM and many others how the goverment acknowledges their contribution????
The Police Force needs support not from their colleagues only but also from the highest authorities on the island. You know what I mean and who I am referring to.
Karl Brincat
Aug 9th 2012, 09:10
WELL DONE ! WELL DESERVED
This brings memories of another 1993 boost given to us by the PN Government ... For a moment we thought we would not be heard but there goes !! Thank you Prime Minister.
George Camilleri
Aug 9th 2012, 09:35
yes, this is positive news for our policemen who truly deserve better conditions than those that they are presently in, their work can often be dangerous and they should be adequately compensated for the risks they often have to face.
However, common sense and recent history would advise us to celebrate when this news actually materialises into facts.
Then, and only then, we can say that this 'promise' has been fulfilled.
Lawrence Fenech
Aug 9th 2012, 09:59
@Karl.
Are you aware that the police corps are owed over a million euro in hard worked overtime. Maybe Gonzi will start by paying back this amount. As far as I know he had sworn that the corps can forget the monies due.
Thank you prime minister my foot.
m. borg (slm)
Aug 9th 2012, 13:43
Mr Brincat you just proved that gonzipn/PN cannot deliver we are in 2012 that's 19 years ago what you mentioned.
Give us a break.
Anthony Agius
Aug 9th 2012, 09:08
Speaking at the Passing Out parade of a group of 70 recruits, Dr Gonzi said the service of the police required sacrifice, commitment and dedication.
How long did you leave those poor lads out in the sun waiting for you? Can you see the state some of them are in? We are lucky we did not lose the new recruits to excessive sun exposure and exhaustion.
Peter Murray
Aug 9th 2012, 09:07
Yeah right.He should start by paying them the millions he owes in overtime payments
James Dewar
Aug 9th 2012, 13:06
I have seen many previous references to Police being owed long outstanding overtime payments but also numerous denials that this was the case. Surely someone somewhere can prove once and for all what the truth is! There will always be an amount of overtime due to be paid "in the pipeline" at any specific time but my impression from previous contributions is that there may be large amounts that have been outstanding for an unacceptablty long period....years maybe?
V Mercieca
Aug 9th 2012, 09:03
And we are supposed to believe the Prime Minister on a promise before the election.
Dr Gonzi, please go tell it to the marines will you
Tony Ellul
Aug 9th 2012, 08:50
I totally agree with giving the police force fair compensation for their services. Overall, they truly deserve it and frankly this is well overdue. By the same token, I believe that members of the force should be physically fit to perform their duties. Some of them are so overweight and unfit that God forbid if ever they had to deal with emergency situations. Cheers TE
Dennis Agius
Aug 9th 2012, 10:48
Which emergency the Police failed to do in your humble opinion? I can name plenty of emergency situations held this year and the so overweight (as you called) saved live so far this year.
Paul Azzopardi
Aug 9th 2012, 08:48
Fool me once, shame on you..fool me twice ,shame on me...........
R. Balzan
Aug 9th 2012, 08:46
Issa tard wisq, sur Prim. Dawn il-hafna kummeidji qabel elezzjoni m'ghadomx jaghmlu effett fuq hadd. Ghax kulhadd drak.
Malcom Attard
Aug 9th 2012, 08:45
What about the Armed forces? or We are no longer important mr Gonzi!!
AFM Soldier WITHOUT UNION!!
j brincat
Aug 9th 2012, 08:45
@Jeffrey Mallia
"PROMISE..........did I hear that word uttered before by this Prime minister ??"
Could it be round about 2008 election time?
With the PN Santa Claus always call early when the elections are round the corner.
Deja vu!
(jb)
Dan Jensen
Aug 9th 2012, 08:42
I would certainly also like to see a more educated, capable police workforce with the required authority, but hey, that would probably be asking a bit too much of the prime minister to have such a deeply invested interest.
Mark Piscopo
Aug 9th 2012, 08:37
It is not just the Police that give good service and have tough working conditions. All workers need to have their pay packets upgraded especially the civil protection personnel, armed forces personnel, teachers, lsa's, clerks, technicians and nurses.
A Vella
Aug 9th 2012, 09:20
Increasing everyone's income leads only to inflation Mark. Wage increases must only be earned through superior productivity. Period.
Paul Giordimaina
Aug 9th 2012, 10:21
Mr Piscopo issa jitla siehbek u ma jkun jonqosna xejn.
William Vella Zarb
Aug 9th 2012, 11:04
and where would we get the money, Mark? Everybody would like to have their wages raised but we cannot afford to increase them left, right and center at the expense of taxpayer euros.
Robert Henry Bugeja
Aug 9th 2012, 13:27
@Paul Giordimaina...iva siehbi sewwa qed tghid fuq Joseph...qed tammetti li siehbek stess, it taparsi Priministru, sar skadut u rigettat.
...wara l'elezzjoni oqoghod kanta l'aida sur Giordimaina.
Joe Cordina
Aug 9th 2012, 08:36
The financial uplift is in the form of an allowance which would not feature in their pension upon retirement.
The work on the police academy apparently never started except for the laying of the foundation stone. Is it true that the foundation stone has been removed and stored away?
Is it true that the works started without having been okayed by MEPA?
For how long are the police to make do with soggy premises' that are not adequate for police training?
How about regular maintenance of police stations, many of them are just an eyesore, one should not expect that maintenance done in a police station frequented by so many users would last for many years. Such maintenance and refurbishing should be on a regular cycle of two to four years at the most.
A pleasant, professional, adequate and efficient environment is what the police and clients really deserve.
I wish the best of luck to the new recruits, my advise is that these should take their duty seriously and learn to love and be proud of their job
D Mifsud
Aug 9th 2012, 08:32
unbelievable!!! in the true sense of it
twanny borg
Aug 9th 2012, 08:20
il-pulizija zieda fil-paga iridu u mhux allowances. biex inkunu ghidna l-verita' dejjem kien il-pn li irranga l-kundizzjonijiet tal-pulizija.
Jeffrey Mallia
Aug 9th 2012, 08:14
PROMISE..........did I hear that word uttered before by this Prime minister ??
Robert Zammit
Aug 9th 2012, 08:10
Police's Sweat .... mean worried
Mark Demicoli
Aug 9th 2012, 08:07
issa minn fej ha ggibhom il-flus sur prim? ghax kull meta tal-labour jsemmu li ha jaghmlu xi haga, jkun hemm xi hadd tal-PN jaqbez jghid "imma minn fejn ha ggibu il-flus?"
So ha nistaqsi l-mistoqsija jien issa, "minn fej ha ggibu l-flus?" The usual pre-election promises!
Edwin Delia
Aug 9th 2012, 08:06
Proset Mr PM hope u settle first all the errears present Officers are due and maybe u execute a law that any overtime extra duty is paid with the next months salary and not a century after - these people have famalies like everyone else and need thier well deserved earned money to keep the ball rolling
No one on our blessed island has a more delicate job then our Police Force and although lots of people write against our force bla bla etc I have fully respect for our Force from Constable to Commissioner for what they do for us 24 hrs daily round the clock
Rodnick Abdilla
Aug 9th 2012, 08:00
Sur priministru int anqas il flus ta l over time ma ghadek tajtom, kif ser itijom aktar paga ? din nahseb gejja bhall ma ghamel ma ta tarzna ma ta l air malta ma tal go u nibqaw sejrin, Prim hu il fama u mur orqod hekk jghid il qawl Malti, issa il fama tieghek kullhadd jafa . li int giddieb
Jonathan Camilleri
Aug 9th 2012, 07:17
This is positive.
Louis Craus
Aug 9th 2012, 06:55
Issa sewwa,qabel kull Elezzjoni iwieghed kollox lil kullhadd. X 'kull wahga wkoll !
Ghax ma jaghtihomx dak li hu taghhom sal- lum, jigifieri l- flus li ghandhom jiehdu tal-l "overtime "?
Mela nesa' kemm wieghdhom lil tal- Air Malta, Dockyard,Nassaba , Kaccaturi, u lil Poplu kollu Malti, meta wieghed li la nidhlu fl- Unioni Ewropeja, u fiz-zona, kemm ser inkunu sewwa w ma jonqosna xejn, jekk ukoll ma konniex ser inkunu ahjar minn pajjizi ohra ?
Hallina. Ghalekk ma jridx jirrezenja, biex joqghod iwieghed kollox u lil kullhadd ?
Giov DeMartino
Aug 9th 2012, 08:18
U zgur li ahna ahjar mill-pajjizi l-ohra kollha. Dawk kollha li jigu jzuruna, jigu mnejn jigu, kollha kelma wahda: Malta m'hawx ahjar minnha fid-dinja. U min jara l-ahbarijiet ta' barra ma jibqaghlu ebda dubju. Jitbellhu hafna turisti meta jaraw li standard of living taghna; meta jaraw il-paci: tfal zghar fit-toroq minghajr ebda periklu, zghazagh , tfajliet specjalment, jiddevertu fid-dlam tal-lejl u apparti l-eccezzjonijiet, hadd ma jtihom fastidju; nies jieklu, jixorbu, ipejpu u jiddevertu izjed milli hu mixtieq. Dawn fatti li tarhom bil-fors. Malta m'hawx bhalha fid-dinja.
Problemi, veru, ghandna: Kartuna tal-halib ma tinfetahx (ghax ma tkunx taf tiftahha), l-ghatu tal-Yoghurt jaqta', l-Arriva ma tasalx fil-hin, ma nirbhux midalji fl-Olympics jew fil-World Cup, nircievu hafna Junk Mail, tal-gass iqajmiuna fit-tmienja ta' fil-ghodu.....
B. Cachia
Aug 9th 2012, 09:11
Giovanni, Malta ghandna hafna affarijiet sbieh, imma huwa veru wkoll li ahna l-ifqar pajjiz fl-Ewropa tal-Punent, u li ilna hafna snin bi tkabbir ekonomiku baxx hafna. Huwa veru wkoll li ghandna wahda mill-oghla rati ta' illitterizmu u wahda mill-aktar rati baxxi ta' partecipazzjoni fl-edukazzjoni universitarja, u dawn mhumiex xi dettall, imma jolqtu direttament il-futur ekonomiku taghna. Huwa veru wkoll li rvinajna l-pajjiz b'bini mxerred ma' kullimkien minghajr pjan koerenti (minkejja li jezisti taparsi 'pjan'). Il-finanzi tal-gvern mhumiex hziena daqs tal-erba' pajjizi li bhalissa huma involuti fil-krizi li ghaddejja (Grecja, Italja, Spanja, Portugall), imma xorta xejn ma huma tajbin, specjalment meta tqis kemm ahna zghar u vulnerabbli. Cipru, pajjiz zghir bhalna li m'ghamel xejn hazin hu stess, malajr sab ruhu fl-inkwiet minhabba l-falliment tal-gar kbir tieghu, il-Grecja.
Mr Eric Camilleri
Aug 9th 2012, 06:10
Hemm hu election mode, nispera li inaqqas l-Income Tax!!!
Charles Grixti
Aug 9th 2012, 04:27
Not just the Police but all workers need to have their pay packets upgraded. Put up the minimum wage to a liveable wage and enforce minimum wage legislation. It is not just the Police that give good service and have tough working conditions.
Lawrence Fenech
Aug 9th 2012, 03:31
Biex titmejjel bin nies qabel kull elezzjoni tieghu l-ewwel, imma issa wara hames snin ta' swat minn kullimkien min ser jemnek Gonz.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Aug 9th 2012, 03:04
Go for it boys! that's what he told the Dry Docks boys, tal linja, FKNK, Taxi's and is getting longer now.
you can only fool so much, the track record shows he who lies has a short life to live..
Ninu
m piscopo
Aug 9th 2012, 00:46
"Police personnel were often closer to danger than others" that's true, like civil protection personnel,no?
Tony Camilleri
Aug 8th 2012, 23:55
How about paying them for the overtime they have worked?
You found the money to award yourself €500.
Philip Mizzi
Aug 8th 2012, 23:54
What about the Armed Forces?
Pierre Fenech
Aug 8th 2012, 23:02
This reminds me of the numerous letters I received prior to last election which all went bust after. I am sure that same would happen to the police force.
Francesca Abela
Aug 8th 2012, 22:48
Hmmmm - Looks like an election is on the way, suddenly the bountiful showers of good things seems to be on the increase!
K Mifsud
Aug 8th 2012, 22:46
Now are they giving them a payrise? what about the unpaid overtime? the Gov is in Election mode...
Karl Cucciardi
Aug 8th 2012, 22:42
L-ewwel cahhadhom mill-overtime u issa ghax riesqa l-elezzjoni ha jtihom zieda. Issoltu weghdiet ta Gonzipn.
Daniel Gordon
Aug 8th 2012, 22:33
Can you say "election time promises" boys and girls?
B. Cachia
Aug 8th 2012, 22:32
Unfortunately, Dr Gonzi makes many promises, but keeps very few of them.
Mr Alexander Azzopardi
Aug 8th 2012, 22:31
Ahjar taghtijom dak li huwa tahom nireferi ghal l overtime li ma huma ser jithalsu tijaw qatt..
Jamie Cutajar
Aug 8th 2012, 22:27
Now, if GonziPN puts this in writing as a letter to all members of the police force (as he did in the case of Air Malta, Go, and others), then you pretty much have a guarantee that he has you already lined up for the firing squad.
The only significant pay rises that were given during this legislature were secretly to cabinet - €500 per week to be precise. The promised reduction in income tax was deemed inappropriate.
Let's not be taken in by his lies again. Let's see instead an attempt to control the national debt and at least balance the books for once.
Joseph Arpa
Aug 8th 2012, 22:24
Dear Police force......remember the promises to Airmalta wokers, Dockyard Workers, Taxi Drivers, Bus Drivers etc etc!!!! I hope you are smarter than they were.
Paul Giordimaina
Aug 9th 2012, 10:28
Zepp min diskorskom tidru iddisprati lol
Biker Man
Aug 9th 2012, 13:33
Dear Police force, remember that it was always the PN that improved your working conditions. I hope you acknowledge and you remember.
Charles Micallef
Aug 8th 2012, 22:23
PM promises better income for the police... does anyone think that there is a pending general election?
M Micallef
Aug 8th 2012, 22:08
Ghaziez Prim Ministru, jekk ma jimpurtax infakkrek ukoll fis-suldati .... ghax donnhom dawn niftakru fihom biss meta nigu bzonn u d-drittijiet taghhom ... eh bilhaqq dawn lanqas drittijiet m'ghandhom!
Charles Micallef
Aug 9th 2012, 12:22
Perhaps you might remind the PM of the Honoraria, you might just prick his consience!
mark borg
Aug 8th 2012, 21:59
He said the government would bring about the improvements responsibly, keeping an eye on financial sustainability to ensure that finances remained on a sound footing and the country would not endure the sort of difficulties suffered by other nations.
Ha ha ha ha like he was keping an eye on financial stability when he gave his klikka and himself the 500 euro wkl pay rise.......
Francis Sammut
Aug 8th 2012, 21:56
''Yes, keep an eye on financial sustainability to ensure that finances remained on a sound footing'' It reminds me of when you gave yourself and your Cabinet a whopping 500 or was it 600 euros A WEEK wage increase!
Mr Johann Mifsud
Aug 8th 2012, 21:55
Good & thanks Dr Gonzi but when and by how much will be the financial compensation.
Mandy Spiteri
Aug 8th 2012, 21:47
What about the Armed Forces? Are they to remain on peanuts?
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