This is not an analysis of the merits of the new incumbent of the post of Chief Cop, or of those of his predecessor. That can be left to commentators who have a more direct interest in, and knowledge of, matters constabulary.
What do you mean, there aren't any? You mean there's no-one out there in media-land who can let us have an insight into the effect parachuting someone in from the outside will have on the morale of the Top Brass in the Force? Aren't there intrepid newshounds on the City Desk who have their ears tuned to the gossip?
No? Well, I'm not about to take the job on, I'm more interested in the political angle.
As I said, this is not meant to be a reflection on either of the individuals involved, my thoughts would have been the same had they been a pair of non plus ultrae or a brace of berks, the latter of which they certainly are not.
My concern revolves around the signal given by the mere act of shuffling Mr Rizzo out of his command. His replacement, Mr Zammit, is not material to my concern, it could have been anyone and I would still have the same concern.
Why did the PM feel the need to bounce Mr Rizzo out of Police GHQ? It's not as if Mr Rizzo had conducted himself in anything but a manner totally in compliance with his duty, at least as far as I know, and if he hadn't, then shouldn't we be told?
So isn't it fair that I should come to the conclusion that Mr Rizzo was told to move on because there seems to be some underlying assumption that the Police Force is a tool of Government, with its leadership serving at the pleasure not of the State but of the Prime Minister?
Appointing the Commissioner has been given the tinge of an act of patronage, and this worries me, as I suspect it might eventually worry the beneficiary of the appointment, when he is faced with the sort of choices you have to make at the top.
The same sort of question hovers around the appointment of Mr Speaker. Interpretations of his comments on appointment have been given that lead to the thought that he had been promised elevation some time before the elections.
This in its turn may explain the reason for Dr Farrugia keeping his own counsel in the run-up, rather than reprising the "knife-in-the-back" refrain that he had taken up when he was turfed out of his Deputy-Leader role.
Again, this is not any reflection, one way or the other, on the man but rather on the appointment itself.
Should appointments such as this, especially to Offices of State, give scurrilous hounds such as myself the opportunity to have unworthy thoughts cross our minds?