During a Cabinet meeting with the people it was announced that:
The Police Force has invested in a fleet of 30 new vehicles for the Rapid Intervention Unit (RIU). By the summer, the first specialized squad will enter Paceville.
The discussion on another agreement for Civil Protection workers has reached an advanced stage. As soon as this agreement is sealed, two agreements will be signed for each disciplined body within a few years.
Inside the facilities of the Civil Protection Department in Ħal Far, Prime Minister Robert Abela together with members of the Cabinet of Ministers and representatives of the law enforcement and security forces of our country, met for a meeting that focused on national security. During the meeting, Prime Minister Abela reiterated that despite the international challenges facing the world, Malta is prepared and remains a safe country. He maintained that in our country we will continue to have certainty and peace of mind for the people.
The Police Force has invested in a fleet of 30 new vehicles for the Rapid Intervention Unit (RIU)
During this meeting, the Prime Minister announced that the Police Force has invested in a fleet of 30 new vehicles for the Rapid Intervention Unit (RIU). New vehicles well equipped for law enforcement and which offer a sense of authority and strong visibility. The new vehicles have reinforced glass and therefore offer greater security for the officers who are in them. This initiative reflects an investment of close to two million euros. The new vehicles are scheduled to be on the roads by next month.
The Prime Minister also noted that in recent days a constant dialogue has been maintained with various authorities regarding the situation of the abandoned tanker that is being carried away by the current in the Mediterranean Sea. In this context, he praised the seriousness and commitment of the Maltese forces and authorities who are working to protect the health and safety of our people.
Dr Abela stressed that the disciplined forces deserve every investment and maintained that in recent years the Government has substantially increased investment in these bodies. He recalled that it was this Government that introduced the first collective agreements for the disciplined bodies, after introducing a legislative change in 2015 that gave these workers the right to join a union. “Today we are close to concluding the eighth agreement for another section of workers in the disciplined forces. We are about to seal another agreement for Civil Protection workers”, said the Prime Minister. He explained that once this agreement is concluded, the Government will have signed two agreements for each disciplined force in the space of a few years.
The Prime Minister also praised the valuable work of the authorities’ forces so that Malta remains a safe country. He mentioned how until a few weeks ago, during the severe storm that hit our country, the disciplined forces together with other workers gave clear proof of the dedication and service they provide to the community. He pointed out that our forces always rise to the occasion, this as they put themselves in danger to protect society.
Therefore, we are grateful to them. “Grateful for the important work they do to protect the security of our country,” the Prime Minister stressed. This while affirming the trust that our country has in them and encouraging them to continue working for Malta and Gozo.
Prime Minister Abela said that our forces are also being provided with the best resources. Dr Abela reiterated that this Government understands that behind every worker there is a family, which is why it has invested in bodycams – an initiative that is bearing fruit even at the level of crime detection and in the investigation processes. Panic alarms have also been introduced for victims of domestic violence and the Community Policing project is being implemented in the community.
“This is another investment in favour of an increasingly safer Malta, an investment that we can make because we have a strong economy, an economy that is profitable and that gives us the space to invest. We invest in favour of families, in favour of the community and so that our people can continue to live in serenity”, concluded the Prime Minister.
The Cabinet meeting was also addressed by the Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri. He said that a prepared Malta and a safe Malta did not come about by chance. They are the result of preparation, prevention and action. Minister Camilleri explained, “Preparation with investment in training and tools, prevention with strategies studied to prevent not only solve, which are implemented, have led to Maltese and Gozitan families today living in a country among the safest in the world, with the lowest crime rate”.
By the summer, the first specialized squad will enter Paceville
He reiterated that despite the fact that this Government has achieved a lot in this sector, and this is being experienced by the people while international reports such as the World Justice Report certify it, more measures are being implemented. In fact, he announced that from next summer the first specialized squad will begin operating in Paceville, which will join the work being done through cameras that are being installed.
