This year, we are celebrating our police corps’ 200th anniversary. Sixteen months ago, we found a force that had suffered neglect and was demotivated and demoralised because of lack of decisions by the previous government.

We immediately put into place the reforms so necessary for our force to keep up with the times. We needed an effective instrument of the law and a police force which not only solves crimes, but also prevents them. We need a corps which acts as a deterrent by its very reputation and which above all is there for everyone.

We made certain changes to make this force an efficient institution at the service of all the people. We are now in a position to look back and analyse what we have done so far and address any shortcomings and plan and build for the future.

In order to achieve this aim, performance at the top levels of the corps is crucial. We believe that the most senior appointments should no longer be given on an indefinite basis.

If the Opposition maintains the destructive approach it has manifested so far, we will have no choice, and no problem, moving ahead with our necessary plans

Emulating the system of headship structures in the Civil Service, these appointments should be given on a definite contract for three years, whereby these officials will be able to prove their worth at the job they are entrusted with.

The appointment of an Acting Police Commissioner is in line with this principle. Before appointing someone definitely to the role, the government will have a clear long-term action plan for the police corps to achieve the high standards and stability we want.

A major change we are envisaging is the introduction of certain support services within the corps, which will release the Office of the Commissioner from the non-policing burden of administrative, financial and other work that hampers the core business of crime prevention and fighting.

For the first time in the story of the corps, we have increased the number of deputy police commissioners, we increased also the number of assistant commissioners, and we shall shortly also be strengthening the numbers of middle management positions within the uniformed ranks, from superintendents to inspectors.

We are also actively considering setting up a management-oriented hierarchy, reporting to a person who might have a role, such as a chief executive officer, intended to allow all police resources to be used efficiently and effectively to fight crime.

On assuming government, we found a sorry situation, with the law courts criticising the fact that summons were not being delivered in time.

To this effect, and to address shortages in these areas, we introduced the special constabulary which, besides lightening this burden, has also meant the re-acquisition of the wealth of experience these officers brought back to the force.

We have built the new academy, which has already received its first recruits – a far cry from the one foundation stone laid down with so much fanfare by the previous government, a stone left all alone, nowhere near the building which had been planned.

This stone has had to be removed and stored for safe keeping, until it is put in place where it should have been put in the first place. Incidentally, the Opposition spokesman on Home Affairs seems to have nothing better to do than to endlessly place parliamentary questions about this one stone.

Police action in court also needs to be strengthened through the setting up of a prosecution unit, which will specialise in that specific part of the process, thus freeing inspectors from the time spent at the law courts, and using time more effectively in investigations.

We need to continue building on the success of certain initiatives which we have taken already such as the Rapid Intervention Unit, which is fast living up to its name, and the opening of police stations at Swieqi and Pietà.

We are also considering the possibility of civilian support to specialised units, such as the engagement of consul-tant forensic auditors for the economic crimes division.

More investment in technology, equipment and qualified human resources for the forensic laboratory is also on the cards. Finally, we have commissioned further studies by Saviour Formosa to have a clear picture of crime on our islands to ensure future planning and allocation of resources is done on the basis of real information.

In line with all this we have extended the offer of cooperation with the Opposition many times.

We are a forward-looking and positive-thinking government, and notwithstanding the Opposition’s negative attitude to date, we are still willing to have them work with us for the common good.

If the Opposition obstinately refuses, and maintains the destructive approach it has manifested so far, we will have no choice, and no problem, moving ahead with the necessary plans and reform of the police corps for the benefit of all Maltese and Gozitans.

Manuel Mallia is Home Affairs and National Security Minister.

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