Substantial amendments to the Police law are in the pipeline so as to remove the absolute powers enjoyed at present by the commissioner and to empower officers in lower ranks to take certain decisions, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said today.
The changes are part of a 10-year strategy for the police force which is being drafted on the strength of a survey carried out among members of the force itself.
The main highlights of this plan, drafted by Prof. Saviour Formosa were unveiled in a press briefing addressed by Mr Abela.
One of its key proposals is for better use to be made of existing personnel for core police duties, while other roles, such as that of drivers, would be handed to civilians.
Relieving the police of administrative and other ancillary duties could result in the deployment of up to an additional 600 officers who would be able to focus exclusively on law enforcement and crime, the study has concluded.
In the survey, respondents complained about inadequate resources, “stifling bureaucracy” as well as health and safety concerns.
Officers also complained that their wellbeing, such a proper counselling to face certain situations was not being given enough attention. They also called for continuous training during the course of their career.
The Home Affairs Minister noted how throughout its 200-year history the force never had its own strategy and was still set up on a colonial model whereby all the control, even on trivial matters revolved on the commissioner.
Mr Abela did not commit himself when asked if acting commissioner Laurence Cutajar would be appointed commissioner, saying such a decision rested on the Prime Minister.
19 APPLY FOR POLICE CEO POST
As for the new post of Police CEO he said that 19 candidates have applied for the job. The CEO will focus on administration, taking some of the burden off the commissioner.
Mr Abela rejected an Opposition proposal for the police commissioner to be appointed by a two-thirds parliamentary majority, in line with other appointments like the Auditor General and the Ombudsman.
He said that certain powers vested in the government should not be transferred to parliament, whose main role was to legislate.
Moreover, he questioned what would happened in case there would be the need to remove the Commissioner.
"Would that also require a two-thirds majority," he asked.