After the 1919 June riots, Colonel Harry William Morrey Bamford of South Africa Demobilisation in London was contracted to serve as the commissioner and he started his duties on July 19,1919. In his report to the lieutenant-governor dated August 28, 1919, which was laid on the table of the council of government two days later, Bamford said: “Malta is today policed by an inefficient force, which, as recent events have proved, is useless and expensive in times of emergency.”

In his first report to the lieutenant-governor, Bamford noted that for some time previously the members of the force had been making representations as to their inadequate pay and they had been granted a war bonus which was insufficient to meet the increased cost of living. Discontent in the force had grown rapidly and on May 14, 1919, the men parading for outgoing relief demanded an interview with the acting commissioner. Referring to the June 7 events, the commissioner said the police service was practically paralysed by the withdrawal from duty or neglect of duty of the bulk of the force.

Three months after Bamford’s appointment, the secretary of state approved an increase in pay to all police personnel with effect from June 1, 1919. Allowances in lieu of quarters were granted to all ranks except the commissioner, although no such allowance was given to members occupying free quarters.

The police band was also a result of Bamford’s reforms. In 1920, bandmaster Emanuele Magro, former bandmaster of the commander-in-chief orchestra, joined the force as the first police bandmaster. A call was later issued for bandsmen within the force, but only 13 applied. In spite of this small number, Magro started re­hearsals and also gave some concerts.

The first musical instruments were purchased from the disbanded regiment of the Kings Own Malta Regiment of Militia and some former bandsmen of this regiment were enlisted in the police band. Other bandsmen came from the Royal Malta Artillery. In a few months the number of police bandsmen had risen to 30, whereupon the bandmaster increased the band’s activities.

The police band played during ceremonial occasions and concerts at the palace at Valletta and also at the governor’s residence in San Anton. Demands for the band increased so much that new instruments were purchased.

During the commissionership of Bamford, the first police chapel, dedicated to the Holy Cross, was opened and consecrated at the Sacra Infermeria on September 26, 1920. This old chapel had been renovated by members of the force, and Bishop A. Portelli and the first police chaplain, Rev. Prof. P. Vella led the first divine service.

Since this date, Holy Mass has been regularly celebrated at the police chapel on Sundays and holidays of obligation. Later, the police started celebrating annually the feast of the Holy Cross. The Cross of the Sacra Infermeria today hangs in the chapel at the present police headquarters in Floriana.

Bamford also encouraged the setting up of a police football team which participated in the civilian league organised by the Malta Football Association. Members of the force had also been allowed to play football with other local teams but in 1929 this concession was withdrawn.

After the grant of self-government in 1921, the police department became the responsibility of the Maltese government. Alfredo Caruana Gatto was appointed minister responsible for justice and the police.

Between April and July 1922, Antonio Busuttil served as acting commissioner, and when Bamford left, Busuttil was appointed commissioner. The following year, deputy commissioner Amadeo Inglott was appointed acting commissioner as Busuttil had suddenly fallen ill after a serious stroke. Busuttil died four months later on August 6,1923.

After the August 1927 elections, Lord Gerald Strickland took office as prime minister, and some days later it was notified that the Office of Police was to be administered by a commission presided by Strickland, in his capacity of minister of the police. The commission included the Superintendent of Prisons Salvatore Galea and Captain S.J. Galea, the captain of ports. The same notice announced that Commissioner Stivala had been granted leave on full pay until further orders.

On March 8, 1928, the official secretary of the head of the ministry wrote to Stivala requesting him to state in writing, for submission to the governor in council, why he should not be charged with 11 accusations made against him. These charges included his neglect to take proceedings against Giovanni Adami and the suppression of evidence in the case of Luke Zammit. Other charges included association with a woman of questionable character in a manner prejudicial to discipline and responsibility for the growth of houses notoriously used to facilitate prostitution. Stivala was also accused of failing to take proper action against a person who alleged that bribes were being collected to influence entry into the police force.

As a result of these findings, on August 1, 1928, Stivala was transferred to the post of superintendent of prisons at the emoluments attached to that post and on condition that he was liable to be transferred to another post of not less salary at any time. When the Nationalist Party returned to power in 1932, Stivala was refunded the difference in salary since his transfer. Meanwhile, Salvatore Galea had been appointed head of police.

In August 1930, the governor enacted an ordinance known as The Reconstitution of the Office of Commissioner of Police (Emergency) Ordinance 1930 by virtue of which he assumed the power to appoint more than one commissioner.

By virtue of this ordinance, with effect from August 24,1930, Col. Gustav Brander, OBE, was appointed joint commissioner with Galea. According to the letter of appointment, Brander’s post was a temporary one and when his services were no longer required in the force he would have no claim to further employment in the civil service. His salary was £800 per annum, while Galea’s was £500.

Brander was mainly responsible for keeping an eye over political manifestations and he was heavily criticised by the Nationalist Party for the way he carried out his duties during these events.

The 1932 elections were won by the Nationalist Party, and on June 21, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici was appointed minister in charge of the police department. One month later, Brander’s appointment as joint commissioner was terminated and Galea was retained as commandant of the force.

Later, Ordinance XII of 1930 regarding the reconstitution of the office of the commissioner of police was repealed. However, on November 2,1933, the control of the police force was taken over by the governor in preparation for the declaration of a state of emergency under which the ministers were to be dismissed.

Another recommendation was the introduction of policewomen, which were already a common feature in any modern force

In September 1939, Major Frank Stivala, the director of prisons, was due to retire on attaining the age of 60 and deputy commissioner Joseph Axisa was in line to take his place. However, Governor Charles Bonham-Carter did not support this appointment as the police department would suffer with Axisa’s transfer and instead recommended to the secretary of state for the colonies for Axisa to be compensated for the loss of this promotion.

But there was another reason for retaining Axisa in the force: it had become clear that war was inevitable. Galea was informed that the government intended to appoint another joint commissioner as had been done previously in accordance with Ordinance XII of 1930. This change in command of the force was the result of the tense international relations and the authorities wanted a more energetic man as commissioner. Galea opted to retire on pension and, to his surprise, on November 29, 1939, Axisa was appointed commissioner.

After the granting of the 1947 constitution, a new government was elected and the police department was removed from the field of reserved matters and Maltese ministers became responsible for the police department, although the Governor remained responsible for public safety.

The first prime minister under this new constitution was Paul Boffa, who was also minister of justice and the police. Immediately after Boffa became responsible for the police department, Axisa asked to retire on pension and, on November 1, 1947, he was succeeded by Joseph Ullo. There were reports that Axisa had envisaged interference in his work and had decided that it was better to leave.

The Nationalists won the 1950 elections and Enrico Mizzi became prime minister and assumed responsibility for the police department and justice. Three months later, Mizzi died suddenly at his residence in Valletta and Dr Giorgio Borg Olivier succeeded him as prime minister and as minister responsible for the police.

The Nationalists were elected again in 1953 and Borg Olivier retained the responsibility for the police department till February 1955 when the Labour Party won the elections and Dom Mintoff became prime minister and minister responsible for the police. At that time, the commissioner was George Cachia, who had been appointed in November 1954.

In May 1955, Mintoff invited W.A. Muller, inspector-general of the colonial police, to advise on improvements in the police force’s organisation and efficiency. Muller visited Malta from May 9 to 14 and had two discussions with the prime minister and several other interviews with the commissioner and other members of the force.

In his report Muller said the Malta police organisation was not consistent with modern police practice and a radical change was needed, particularly as regards criminal investigation. Referring to the sergeants as excellent police officers and doing splendid work, he said the standard of recruits enlisted was poor and unlikely to maintain the high level required in the supervising ranks. Referring to the conditions of service at the time, Muller said careful study was needed with the aim of improving police pay and to reduce the hours of duty.

Another recommendation by Muller was the introduction of policewomen, which were already a common feature in any modern force. He said women had more than proved their usefulness as police officers and they could be employed on a number of duties in the station that did not require the physical strength of male police officers. According to Muller, policewomen were particularly valuable in the investigation of crime where juveniles and women had to be interviewed.

After a call for applications from women candidates between the ages of 20 and 25, an examination was held on June 4, 1956, and five police women were attested. Some weeks later another examination was held and another five women constables were attested. After these appointments the police no longer continued to engage the services of special women for female searches and escorts to the hospital of mental disease as this work became part of policewomen’s duties.

In 1956, after an allegation made by Inspector Alfred Bencini about remarks written about him by the commissioner, the prime minister called for an inquiry. When commissioner Cachia became aware of this inquiry, he asked to retire on pension and his request was accepted. Cachia had served for 29 years in the force, and only six-and-a-half months as commissioner.

On June 1, 1956, assistant commissioner Vivian De Gray was appointed commissioner, an appointment which Mintoff described as “a calculated risk by the Cabinet”.

After the 1958 disturbances, the 1947 constitution was revoked and Malta went back to colonial rule. The power to make appointments of certain public officers returned to the governor, acting on the recommendations of the public service commission. But the governor exercised his power at his discretion as regards judges and certain specified officers, including the commissioner of police.

With the enactment of the Malta Police Ordinance in 1961, the appointment of the commissioner and other gazetted officers, as well as their removal, was vested in the governor. In the same year a new Constitution (The Blood Constitution) was introduced, according to which control of the police remained vested in the governor. The latter, acting at his discretion, was also empowered to give the commissioner of police such directives as he thought fit in respect of provisions, maintenance, and administration of the force. The governor had also the power to issue directions to the commissioner for the operational control of the force in order to maintain public order and public safety, which directions were to be complied with.

The general election of February 1962 was one of the most heavily contested elections. Tempers ran high during the campaign and on the three polling days. The police had to cope with a great number of outdoor and indoor political meetings and demonstrations all over the islands, necessitating the deployment of heavy police reinforcements from place to place.

The elections were won by the Nationalist Party and Borg Olivier was invited by the Governor to form a government. But he had certain reservations regarding responsibility for the police and sought immediate discussions with the secretary of state. It was after receiving assurance that London was ready to discuss these constitutional matters with him at an early stage that he agreed to form a government. Eventually constitutional amend­­ments gave back responsibility for the police to the Maltese government.

After September 21, 1964, the Malta Independence Act (1964) ended all responsibility by London for the affairs of Malta and the police force remained under the responsibility of the government of the day.

Concluded.