I refer to the article entitled ‘Mass exodus of top police officers’ (September 2).

There are inaccuracies in the article that require clarification, particularly for those who are not acquainted with the working conditions of the Police Force.

In fact, this is a natural process, particularly due to the fact that police officers may retire on pension after serving 25 years in the force. If they opt to stay they will not be entitled to benefit from the two thirds pension that they would otherwise enjoy should they leave the service in lieu of alternative employment in other sectors or else to enjoy their retirement.

Without going into the merits of individual officers by name, it is to be pointed out that of two of the three deputy police commissioners mentioned in the article have reached the mandatory retirement age and, therefore, they had no other option but to retire from the public service.

As regards the other officers mentioned, some resigned months ago, another has not resigned at all, but is on special unpaid leave working with an international organisation.

One of the police inspectors mentioned in the article has absolutely no intention of leaving the force.

The above clearly shows that the Malta Police Force is not experiencing any “mass exodus” but merely going through the natural process in the movement of its human resources.