Former inspector Daniel Zammit and his brother, police inspector Roderick Zammit, were in breach of the law regulating the police when they set up their own businesses, but the police remain silent on action to be taken.
The law (subsidiary legislation 164.01) states that a member of the corps is “guilty of neglect or violation of duty” if he is in any trade or business or otherwise “fails to devote his whole time to the police service”.
This applies to anyone serving in the corps, other than the Commissioner or the Acting Commissioner.
The father, former Acting Commissioner Ray Zammit, also held shares in the businesses his sons set up with Joe Gaffarena, linked to the controversial petrol station in Qormi largely built without permits.
Ray Zammit held these shares before he became Acting Commissioner. His shares and those of his sons were transferred to his wife and mother in June last year.
The police commissioner is empowered to hold an inquiry and if he finds the charge proven then the law states he should send the record of proceedings together with his recommendation for punishment to the President.
Inspector Roderick Zammit, who was on extended sick leave, returned to work yesterday. When Times of Malta contacted him, he said he did not wish to comment unless questions were related to his work.
No replies have been received from police despite reminders
Times of Malta sent questions to the police’s media unit a week ago asking what action is going to be taken in Daniel Zammit’s case but no replies have been received despite reminders.
Daniel Zammit, 35, a former inspector at the Economic Crimes Unit, is at the centre of a political storm after it emerged he got boarded out on psychiatric grounds within a few days only to land a €60,000 consultancy contract doing similar investigative work for Enemalta. He also did not wish to comment when contacted.
Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi ordered the immediate termination of his contract with the State company saying it was “unacceptable” after he was confronted about the matter by the Opposition in Parliament.
The fact that it was the psychiatry medical board that boarded him out raises questions on the legitimacy of the process. Mr Zammit was investigating and prosecuting fraud such as the case of the smart meter tampering.
The €60,000 consultancy job he was given at Enemalta was with the State company’s internal audit department, which conducts similar investigative work. In fact, the former police inspector’s duty to investigate and prosecute those who stole electricity was co-ordinated with the same department that gave him the job.
Meanwhile, former acting police commissioner Ray Zammit has been appointed as director of prisons and head of the new agency in charge of the wardens system.
Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela was yesterday asked whether Ray Zammit would be retaining his current positions following the recent revelations but no reply was received.