Police morale is at rock bottom and several very capable police officers are leaving the corps as they cannot put their training and skills to use, the Malta Police Association is claiming.
Two days after the resignation of Police Commissioner Michael Cassar, the association’s executive secretary Clayton Silvio and public relations officer Frank Sammut are blaming this situation on an “outdated culture that permeates the force”.
The management culture within the corps, they told The Sunday Times of Malta, does not allow police officers’ careers to flourish according to their training and abilities.
“To make matters worse, some people who are carrying out sterling work are moved to other jobs that they’re not trained to perform,” complained Mr Sammut.
“The Commissioner does not own the police force and his wide discretion has to be used in the best interests of the department.”
Mr Silvio believes the police are facing a major challenge in their relationship with society. Statements and doubts about the integrity and impartiality of various police commissioners over the last three years, he points out, have harmed the entire force.
The association agrees with the proposal for a performance-based appointment, and for a definite period, of a Police Commissioner following a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament.
“By enjoying the trust of both sides of the House and being answerable to Parliament, the Commissioner’s autonomy and public stature should be enhanced,” remarked Mr Sammut.
The association is not averse to the proposal of having a Police CEO, so long as the appointed person is solely responsible for the administration of the corps.
This would be similar to the situation in court where the judiciary and a director general operate with clear and distinct responsibilities.
However, the association believes that the CEO’s appointment should be free from political interference and be solely based on merit and competence.
“The Police Association is sure that it can make headway with the new Acting Commissioner and we trust we may collaborate in our efforts to improve the situation,” said Mr Sammut.
The Sunday Times of Malta also spoke to a number of police officers of various ranks, all of who confirmed the dire state of the police force.
One officer said policemen were “demoralised” and that they felt they had become “objects of ridicule”.
Another said: “The ministerial intrusion has to stop. Why should a simple press statement be vetted by the ministry?”
One police officer said the situation was “very bad and getting worse” while another remarked: “Rather than bringing the best out of the police, the administration works actively against them.”
According to Mr Silvio, the concept of a trade union is alien to the police management.
“The administration does not co-operate with the Malta Police Association. No discussions are held regarding our proposals to improve the situation and the employment conditions of our members.
“For example, police boxes are worse than kennels, except for two – those next to the Prime Minister’s residence and the UK High Commission. We have been writing and asking for an improvement in the conditions for policemen on fixed point duties since last summer; to date we have received no feedback,” Mr Silvio said.
Late last summer the Home Affairs Ministry sent a questionnaire to all members of the police force asking for their views on the corps and for their proposals.
“We are aware that the report has been concluded and we call on the ministry to publish it,” he said.