The Nationalist Party today saluted the police force on the 200th anniversary of its setting up and paid tribute to its serving and past members.

It also thanked all those who had worked to make the police a modern force and an effective tool to fight crime and safeguard the people's freedom.

The PN also paid tribute to those who had died or been injured in the line of duty. 

Home Affairs spokesman Jason Azzopardi said the country needed to learn from its mistakes, such as when the police force was harmed by political interference and when those tasked with protecting the people had themselves committed abuse. It would be a mistake, he said, to forget that in the past there were people who were tortured at police headquarters, framed and even killed. 

It was regrettable, Dr Azzopardi said, that over the past 14 months, the corps had seen continuous political interference and vindictive transfers. Policemen had been told to do duties which were not theirs and a senior officer had even intervened for a mayor to jump the queue for the Gozo ferry. Action against people who had assaulted policemen had also been stopped.

It was also regrettable that on its 200th anniversary, the corps was being run by an Acting Commissioner after the 'forced resignation' of the commissioner.

The prime minister had a duty to ensure that the police enjoyed the people's respect, Dr Azzopardi said, while wishing well to the Acting Commissioner.

MINISTER CONGRATULATES THE POLICE

Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia congratulated the police and said the anniversary was not an occasion for political exchanges. He thanked all those who had done their duty.

He said the government had plans for long-term reform of the police force aimed at making it more effective and bringing it closer to the people. His appeal was for everyone to pull in the same direction.

He said it was his wish to see political consensus so that demoralisation which the members of the corps had been going through would be replaced by enthusiasm.

He also highlighted progress made in the past few months including the setting up of the Rapid Intervention Unit, the opening of new police stations and recruitment to bring staff numbers up to the required level.