Deputy Commissioner Joseph Cachia

Outgoing Deputy police Commissioner Joe Cachia is being appointed head of the Police Academy by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Assistant Commissioners Pierre Calleja, Andrew Seychell and Ray Zammit are expected to be appointed deputy police commissioners, making it the first time in its 200-year history that the police force will have three police deputy commissioners, a spokeswoman for the Home Affairs Ministry confirmed

The three veteran officers were ranked in the top three spots by the Public Service Commission.

The appointments will only be formalised in two weeks’ time because applicants have the right of appeal from the PSC results, she added.

Mr Cachia will be retiring from the force.

The appointment of three deputy commissioners had been announced by Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia in October. He told Parliament that would have different duties and would give a new style to the leadership of the police force

Assistant commissioner Calleja is currently responsible for the police’s crime section that includes the rapid intervention unit and the criminal investigation department, while Mr Seychell is responsible for the special branch that includes immigration and security for foreign dignitaries.

Mr Zammit is assistant commissioner responsible for Region B that covers the police districts six to 10. Region B covers the hotspot of Paceville and also includes Gozo.