For the first time in its 200-year history the police force will start the new year with three deputy commissioners.

Assistant Commissioners Pierre Calleja, Andrew Seychell and Ray Zammit were ranked in the top three spots by the Public Service Commission, a spokeswoman for the Home Affairs Ministry has confirmed. But the three veteran officers will only be formally taking up their new posts in two weeks’ time because applicants have the right to appeal the PSC results.

Incumbent deputy commissioner Joe Cachia is expected to step down and sources have linked him to a new post at the police academy.

Incumbent deputy commissioner Joe Cachia is expected to step down

The appointment of three deputy commissioners had been announced by Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia in October. He had told Parliament they would have different duties, giving the police force a new leadership style.

The Opposition had questioned the need for three deputies in a police force that numbers fewer than 2,000 officers when other foreign jurisdictions had a single deputy for much larger precincts.

In his capacity as assistant commissioner, Mr Calleja is responsible for the police’s crime section that includes the Rapid Intervention Unit and the Criminal Investigation Department, while Mr Seychell is responsible for the special branch that includes immigration and security of foreign dignitaries.

Mr Zammit is assistant commissioner responsible for region B that covers the police districts six to 10. Region B covers the entertainment hotspot of Paceville and also includes Gozo.

He had also been responsible for the special assignment group, an elite unit that was fused with the mobile squad to form the rapid intervention unit.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com

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