Recently, as I looked at the calendar, two dates immediately grabbed my attention. The titles read: ‘Passing out parade – Civil Protection Department’ and ‘Passing out parade – Armed Forces of Malta’. It is normal practice that as Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, I am invited to preside over such ceremonies, but these events triggered a sense of curiosity about their raison d’être. What do they mean to the recruits, to their families, their superiors and our citizens?
A fortnight ago, I attended a ceremony at the Ħal Far Fire Station after the first call for applications to join the CPD in 16 years. A ceremony welcomed a total of 60 new assistant rescue officers. This has lead to the highest number of Civil Protection Department members ever, a total of 180 members involved in operations to save lives and protect society.
Three days later I was at the AFM passing out parade. Recruits marched past with heads held high as smartphone cameras of their relatives followed their every move. The aura of pride verged on the intimidating as the soles of their boots hit the floor in a synchronised manner, precisely obeying the beat of the drums and the high-pitched word of command of their officer.
At the end of the ceremony I spoke to some of these young men and women and enquired about their personal experiences during training. These varied in tone and description but all agreed that it had been no walk in the park. There had been a strict regime of discipline and gruelling physical training on a daily basis. Some mentioned the challenge of balancing family and work during the recruitment. A Gozitan recruit explained how he resided in the barracks throughout the recruitment in order to wake up before sunrise and iron his uniform, and use time otherwise used for commuting to study and memorise his scribbled notes.
As a father and a minister I truly admire the enthusiasm of these recruits. Certainly, the men and women who embarked on such rewarding and demanding careers are living proof that commitment to serve one’s country still prevails and merits a worthy investment.
In fact, a review of the investment in human resources shows that by the end of year, more than 500 new members will have joined the disciplined forces.
Professional and technical training was provided in military academies in more than 20 different countries
The Corradino Correctional Facility has trained 64 new correctional officers. The Malta Police Force has welcomed about 30 inspectors in recent months and the recruitment of 100 new members is now underway. The Armed Forces of Malta also saw 100 recruits pass out last February with another 70 recruits last week. And a call for applications for another 100 recruits has just closed. I genuinely salute all those who would like to devote themselves to serve their country. The disciplined forces need your skills.
As well as harvesting the enthusiasm of new recruits, we must also do our part and invest constantly in their apparatus, their training and their career progression. To this effect, in the coming weeks a Bill to transform the police training academy, so that it can provide accredited training to members of all the disciplinary forces, will be presented in Parliament.
And we will continue working to provide more training opportunities overseas. More than 170 AFM members have already enhanced their specialised capabilities and their military career prospects thanks to an investment of more than €600,000 in training abroad. Professional and technical training was provided in military academies in more than 20 different countries.
Likewise we are dedicated to improving working conditions. For the first time ever, all members of the forces are entitled to join a union of their choice and have the right to proper representation. As announced, the AFM has reviewed its strategy in human resources. We are also removing anomalies between forces so that CPD members will have equal entitlement to a retirement pension after 25 years of service.
The investment in human resources goes hand in hand with investment in the modernisation of our forces. Just one look at the CPD and AFM shows that this ministry has ensured an exponential growth in assets. The CPD is benefiting from an investment of €8 million over five years, bringing new equipment and vehicles. As for the AFM, just recently the government signed an agreement with Agusta Westland for the procurement of a third state-of-the-art helicopter. This is an investment of more than €14 million, partly financed by the EU, that will enhance the AFM’s capability to operate on land and at sea for an extended duration and at a greater distance than previously possible.
We should all be proud of our forces. We have experienced officers and eager recruits, backed by investment and modern technology. I salute the professionalism and dedication of all Maltese men and women who serve their country.
Carmelo Abela is Minister for Home Affairs and National Security.