Commissioner appointed after consultation with PSC

Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit.

Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit has been reinstated in the public service after the Prime Minister consulted the public service commission, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt.

Mr Zammit, 52, is a legal procurator from Marsascala and retired from the police force after 25 years of service in 2009.

His appointment last month was mired in controversy after doubts were raised in Parliament as to whether his reinstatement in the public service happened according to regulations.

However, a letter dated April 22 shows that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat appointed Mr Zammit police commissioner in salary scale 2 backdated to April 13. The letter opens by making reference to the consultation Dr Muscat had with the public service commission, a constitutional body tasked to oversee government employment.

The post of police commissioner is entrusted by appointment

A spokeswoman for the National Security Ministry said Mr Zammit took oath of office as a public officer, a necessary prerequisite for him to be appointed police commissioner.

“The post of police commissioner is entrusted by appointment,” she added, when asked whether Mr Zammit took an oath as police commissioner.

The ministry also produced the letter of appointment signed by the Prime Minister when asked what advice the public service commission had given Dr Muscat.

“The legal obligation for a written recommendation from the PSC does not exist,” she said, adding the consultation did take place.

Sources told this newspaper that Mr Zammit’s appointment and the transfer of John Rizzo, the previous police commissioner, to the Civil Protection Department were both cleared by the public service commission.

The Prime Minister is duty-bound by the Constitution to consult the public service commission.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com