It is fascinating how outgoing police commissioner Michael Cassar can manage to speak for over 15 minutes on video about his leaving the corps without ever giving a reason why. Significantly, he began his message saying he will first address his fellow policemen and the public but ended up only heaping praise on officers, finishing the message abruptly and ignoring the very public that has shown trust in him and was awaiting some explanation for his premature departure.

Officially, he resigned for health reasons but he did not say so. In fact, he said nothing at all other than that, a year ago or so, when he was appointed, the corps had a cliff edge to climb but now it only has a slope ahead.

No one doubts the commitment to duty of the police. Yes, there are some bad apples and they give the corps a bad name. Nevertheless, policemen are the first people on the spot when something arises, they put themselves in danger and it is often a thankless job. However, dedication is not enough because the corps, more than any other organisation, requires strong leadership.

Mr Cassar admitted so much with this newspaper last year when he said that a change of police commissioner automatically caused uncertainty because every police commissioner has his ideas and his own vision. Five police commissioners in three years can only leave the police corps without a clear vision and rudderless. There is something fundamentally wrong here and a radical rethinking of how police chiefs are appointed is called for.

Nationalist Party deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami took a leaf out of his party’s blueprint for good governance and suggested that the new police commissioner should be appointed after obtaining a two-thirds vote in the House of Representatives. This suggestion has two advantages. Firstly, it raises the police commissioner above politics and, secondly, it strengthens his position as an independent executive.

There have been reports that Mr Cassar was uncomfortable with the idea of appointing a CEO for the police corps, fearing this would increase political interference. There have also been claims that Mr Cassar wished to investigate, as he was repeatedly called upon to do so by the Opposition leader, individuals who are involved in the Panama secret companies scandal. Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela denies the claims, denies political interference and also denies pressure on Mr Cassar to resign. Yet, the questions linger on.

Mr Cassar took over the helm of the police corps from Ray Zammit, who was ingloriously removed after the debacle involving former home affairs minister Manuel Mallia’s driver. Incredibly, Mr Zammit soon landed himself a new post in the public sector, reaffirming public perception of political patronage, and Dr Mallia is back in Cabinet.

Mr Cassar spoke of big progress being made under his watch but admits that much remains to be done. His successor is to inherit a corps that is in a better state and better equipped than a year ago. That, however, does not address the main issue ­leadership and the perceived political interference in the police corps. The Labour Party’s track record does not speak in its favour.

The new Police Commissioner faces an arduous task. His first challenge is motivating his men and women. But, above all, he needs to show himself to be above politics, able and willing to carry out his duties independently of the government of the day, is loyal to his corps and, more so, to the public he serves.

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