A record number of police officers have left the force so far this year, the Times of Malta is informed.

With 117 requests to resign or retire having already been submitted to the Police Commissioner, the number of officers leaving the force this year is by far the highest in the past decade. These included some of the most senior and experienced officers.

Police Commissioner Michael Cassar yesterday rejected any talk of a “mass exodus” and insisted there was no cause for alarm.

“I am not particularly preoccupied, honestly, because this is a natural cycle,” Mr Cassar, the fourth police commissioner since Labour was elected to power in March 2013, said. “This has long been coming and there are precise reasons why officers are suddenly calling it a day. The main reason is financial,” he added.

“Since this is the last year of the collective agreement and it is not financially worth it any longer to stay in the force after attaining 25 years of service, many are arguing that this is the right time to seek greener pastures,” he said.

Members of the police force have the option to retire and receive a full pension after 25 years of service. 

Data obtained from the police and from Parliament shows that while, on average, there had been about 80 resignations/retirements every year since 2005, the number this year reached a record high with just under four more months still to go till the end of the year.