Archbishop Paul Cremona urged the members of the police force today to always act in defence of the truth and not to shirk from doing so because of other people's reactions.

The people looked up to the police, and its members therefore had to be careful to be an example to all, he said during Pontifical Mass to mark the 200th anniversary of the Police Corps.

Celebrations this morning included a parade in Valletta and the Mass.

Later, President Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca presented new Colours to the Corps.

Those present for the Pontifical Mass included the President and Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia. 

Mgr Cremona paid tribute to the members of the police, particularly those who had shown courage in their duties.  

He underlined the role of the police to safeguard the people's freedoms.

He said acts of bravery were motivated not only by circumstances of the moment, but a basis of solid principles that distinguished between right and wrong.

In the case of the Christian, that meant not only doing what was expected out of a sense of duty, but doing what was right. 

Mgr Cremona said that even persons who broke the law had to be respected. A distinction had to be drawn between the person and his actions.

He urged all present to always serve the truth and not to shirk from doing so because of other people's reactions. Furthermore, all the members of the police force should be an example not inly in the conduct of their duties, but also in their personal life.

See messages from the Home Affairs Minister and the PN at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140712/local/minister-calls-for-consensus-pn-salutes-police-warns-against-political-interference.527372