A policeman who could not be reached at home to be told to appear in court to face charges, was not informed directly at work as the officer serving the summons “was unaware” he was also a member of the force.

This transpired from confidential correspondence seen by Times of Malta which deemed such a shortcoming as a “lapsus” by the police force.

However, even when the officer was properly summoned for the subsequent sitting held last Wednesday, he failed to turn up. Magistrate Carol Peralta ordered his arraignment under arrest.

The incident prompted Deputy Commissioner Andrew Seychell to demand an explanation from his subordinates. The case revolves around harassment claims dating back to 2013, made by a female police officer against her former partner, who is also a member of the force.

The incident allegedly happened at the police headquarters, leading the woman to report the case to the Internal Affairs Unit.

Last October, the woman filed a report at the Mosta police station as the officer allegedly went to her house, banged on her door and was heard swearing.

The urgent clarification by the deputy commissioner was also sought in the wake of remarks made by lawyer Arthur Azzopardi who appeared parte civile for the woman.

Dr Azzopardi asked whether there was anyone in the force covering for her former partner who is a member of the drug squad. He also questioned why no charges were issued over the first incident, but only on the Mosta case. Dr Azzopardi claimed that the Internal Affairs Unit had not looked into the first incident.

Deputy Commissioner Andrew Seychell demanded explanation from his subordinates

In the explanation given to Deputy Commissioner Seychell, it was confirmed the officer had been told about last week’s sitting but did not show up.

As for the previous sitting when the court was told that the officer “was not found” it transpired that nobody had answered the door when a police offer tried to deliver the summons.

The policeman was seemingly caught unaware he had to serve a police officer. As a result no attempt was made to try to contact him through the police force where he was reporting to work daily.

“This is the reason why he ‘was not found’, however the lapsus was duly rectified for today’s [Wednesday’s] sitting,” Deputy Commissioner Seychell was told.

It also transpired the Internal Affairs Unit had looked into the claims filed by the woman, contrary to Dr Azzopardi’s claims.

But following the advice of the Attorney General, the police proceeded by issuing charges on the Mosta incident only.