A total of 75 people were reinstated into the Police Corps between March 9, 2013 and December 3 this year, the vast majority aged between 45 and 55.

Answering a parliamentary question by Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said the reinstatements had been resorted to in order to beef up the force, which had been left under complement by 400.

He said the way forward for the corps was to engage new recruits whose training would reflect modern-day needs.

To another question by Dr Azzopardi, Minister Abela said that between June 1, 2013 and September 1, 2014, 23 district police officers were given three days’ firearm training. Between October and November this year, 188 district officers were given four hours’ training.

Mr Abela said he had already met the Commissioner of Police and discussed matters of training. Agreement had been reached that police should have continuous, relevant training, not only practical but also theoretical.

He also informed the House that prison wardens in the exercise of their duties in prison and when escorting prisoners outside prison were empowered to carry out all the functions vested in any member of the police corps. Dr Azzopardi had asked if prison wardens were permitted or licensed to carry firearms.