The year that just came to an end was “another record year” for the police, Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar said, insisting 2018 was a “success” but one during which the force experienced some “tough times”.
The police chief was speaking at the force’s annual award-giving ceremony, an event that commends officers who excelled in their work throughout the previous year. The ceremony is held on the first Sunday of the year at the police headquarters in Floriana.
The Valletta and Floriana District was given an award for cutting down crime in the area by 23 per cent, the highest when compared to all others districts.
Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia, who also attended the event, said figures recently showed that the crime rate went down by 14.2 per cent in 2018 when compared to the previous year.
According to Mr Cutajar, last year was one that will be remembered “forever” by police officers after a “historic” sectoral agreement was unveiled.
“In the two-and-a-half years since I was appointed Commissioner, a lot has been done. I may one day leave the force, but the legacy I leave behind will remain,” Mr Cutajar said in his speech.
Referring to criticism that the police force was not doing enough to combat fraud and money-laundering, Mr Cutajar said he reckoned that this – which was mostly targeted at him directly – was “unjust”.
“I found a grossly understaffed department which now has more officers than ever before, including an assistant commissioner. From the outside, people might think that nothing is happening but this is not the case,” Mr Cutajar told those present.
I may one day leave the force, but the legacy I leave behind will remain
Meanwhile, during the event, police officer Simon Schembri was met with a long standing-ovation as he walked up to collect the Officer of the Year award. The 48-year-old constable lost his arm last year after he was dragged for several metres in a hit-and-run after he tried to stop 17-year-old Liam Debono who was speeding.
The youth stands charged with attempted murder.
Mr Schembri was also awarded a certificate of appreciation for his work.
Mr Cutajar said that Mr Schembri was awarded the title not only because of the accident, but also for his contribution after that, including his work with the newly-set up Simon Schembri Blue Light Foundation, which offers psychological as well as financial support to first responders.
This year marks the first time in 13 years that the Officer of the Year was selected after members of the force themselves nominated their peers.
“This is my favourite event because not only do we recognise those who went above and beyond in their work but also because it gives me the opportunity to meet ex-colleagues,” the Commissioner went on.
During the event, apart from the award to Mr Schembri, a group of police officers were also handed certificates for outstanding work.
A good number of these, the Commissioner noted, had succeeded in stopping people who were close to committing suicide. Others were also handed certificates for their efforts to help cut down criminality.