Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit yesterday acknowledged that one of his major concerns in dealing with domestic violence cases was the lack of training of police front liners, even if members of the force were now better informed when dealing with such cases.

In a 90-minute exposé to the House Social Affairs Committee, Mr Zammit announced it was planned to make social studies units for new recruits more robust and also to include domestic violence training as part of ad hoc courses where police were given training on the job.

Problems were being addressed through discussions with government entities such as Sedqa, Appoġġ and Supportline 179.

He said a more structured response was required when minors were involved. The law gave the police powers to act immediately when it came to violence being perpetrated in the presence of minors.

Society, he said, was more aware of domestic violence, hence a legal response was required such as care orders when appropriate. An immediate response was more important than punishing the perpetrator.

Services for both perpetrator and victim needed to be strengthened. The rehabilitation of the perpetrator was more beneficial to perpetrators themselves, as well as to society and families.

Society was more aware of domestic violence

Mr Zammit said that to eliminate the chauvinistic mentality inherent across Maltese society, intensive training was required. However, most police officers understood that their main role was to assist vulnerable persons.

In the second instance, when police officers themselves were perpetrators, an internal dualism occurred. On the one hand an officer felt obliged to condemn wrongdoing but on the other, camaraderie came in the way. In order to deal with this situation, there were procedures that could be followed such as an online reporting system so that action could be taken.

The police were also using social media to encourage the public to report police abuse to the force’s internal affairs section.

Answering Claudette Pace (PN), Mr Zammit said one of the main difficulties with regards to training was not having the right premises where to hold sessions. However, between four and eight hours of training are scheduled for new recruits.

Victims need to be told that the report is being recorded. Trust building is an essential exercise that the police force needs to embark upon.

Mr Zammit said police stations were not appropriate as most buildings are too old. Part of the refurbishment that is currently taking place is to have a confidence room within police stations that enables the public to feel comfortable and protect confidentiality.