The Times of Malta, last Wednesday, had a good dose of police stories. On the front page, we read about the exodus and, on page 2 , about the welcoming of the new police dogs. The second story, incidentally, brought a smile to my face because one of the dogs bears my name – Marius. I am therefore sure that it will do a good job!

But, to get back to the point I would like to make, I feel the police need more than a few new dogs.

What they need is a reshuffle. Having the police under a minister hinders their work because, at some point, especially in such a small place like Malta, there is bound to be ministerial interference. I still remember before Independence when the police fell under the governor. Dom Mintoff, then prime minister, tried to order police commissioner Vivian de Gray around but was told to lay off as the police would only take orders from the governor. I think it is time for a rethink.

A positive step forward would be to place the police force under the President’s wing. For starters this would be welcomed by both political parties. Unless, of course, they still want to have complete political control of the force, with all the terrible consequences we are witnessing now.