Jailed for punching officer in the face; Police sergeant kicked in the head; Accused of false report after blaming policeman; Traffic policeman’s helmet smashed in ‘vicious attack these are some of the headlines found in recent editions of the Times of Malta.

One would be excused in thinking that such headlines are referring to what goes on in some crime-infested area overseas but no, these refer to what goes on in Malta today!

Obviously, this prompts the question: “How did we reach this point where respect towards the police force seems to be going downhill day by day?”

The causes are several and varied. Let me start with the public perception of the police force. Unfortunately, recently there were several reports in the media about allegations of corruption involving certain members of the police force. These media reports were also politicised and sensationalised.

The damage done was great. Many people started doubting the integrity of all members of the police force. This was, of course, a great mistake because the very vast majority of all policemen and policewomen are dedicated professionals of impeccable integrity. One or two allegedly corrupt members of the police force does not mean that all policemen and policewomen are corrupt.

The problem, however, has an even deeper basis. In many countries of Europe, members of the police force are seen as being there to be of service to the public. If you go to England and ask a police officer for help, he or she will address you as “sir” or “madam”.

This is the correct procedure because a member of the police force is there to be of service to the community. Unfortunately, in Malta it is rather different.

Here we regrettably have a tradition of police officers being regarded as superior to the general public. I have never understood, for instance, why several people address male police officers as “sir” when speaking to them. It should be the other way round.

Why do I mention this? The reason is that this mentality, which probably is a result of our colonial past when police officers were seen as an extension of the colonial masters’ authority, has led to a situation where some police officers treat members of the public as their inferiors.

The very vast majority of all policemen and policewomen are dedicated professionals of impeccable integrity

This, in turn, has led to situations where some police officers are sometimes rude and arrogant in their approach. One cannot generalise, since many police officers are polite and correct in their approach. However, the few exceptions create a feeling of anger and resentment among the public.

For example, a female driver fails to notice a “No Parking” sign and is rudely rebuked in front of others by a police officer: “Fejn dieħla bil-karozza? Mela mhux qed tara s-sinjal?” (“Where are you parking your car? Haven’t you seen the sign?”). The female is so humiliated by this rough approach that she is reduced to tears.

Sometimes, even people holding public office are not treated with the proper deferment which should be accorded to them by members of the police force. For example, the mayor of a locality and local councillors should not be treated in a high-handed manner by police officers.

Let me make it clear that I have full confidence in Police Commissioner Michael Cassar, who is doing his utmost to reform the police force and make it a model of professional excellence. However, it takes time to change certain mindsets.

One must also mention the obvious fact that today respect towards authority is on the decline. This is a phenomenon not unique to Malta but one that is also common in the rest of Europe. In fact, several cases of assault on police officers have been perpetrated by foreign nationals.

Disrespect towards people in authority is widespread and it is not only police officers who are its victims. Ask several parents, teachers, employers, local wardens, etc., about respect towards authority and the reply will be the same: some people do not even know the meaning of it.

In the case of police officers, one has to recognise that being a police officer is a very tough and demanding job. Police officers deserve our respect even if we sometimes encounter one or two of them who put our back up through their arrogant attitude.

Remember that police officers work very long hours in trying conditions. They have to regularly face difficult people, verbal abuse and even physical danger.

I spent several years working closely as a civilian with a disciplined corps and I remember how tough it was for the police officers I worked with: the tedious long hours of guard duty; the threats they received for carrying out their duty; the longing for the few hours they spent with their families, and so on.

I sincerely hope that the public will show more respect towards the police force and that assaults on police officers will cease. They deserve better.

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