The Minister of Interior, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri, together with the Commissioner of Police Angelo Gafà, inaugurated the community policing office in Marsaxlokk.
In his speech, Minister Camilleri said that the security of the people, of the families, was and will remain a priority for this government. “As we have already started to do during the last legislature, we are looking to bring the Police Force closer to the community. Today is in fact a step closer to our mission that by the end of next year every community in Malta will have the officers of its community, and to have this in the best possible environment, ” reiterated Minister Camilleri.
The Minister for the Interior stated that the decision they had taken to bring the police force closer to the hearts of the Maltese and Gozitan villages is leaving the expected and desired result, recalling a number of episodes where the community police were instrumental in helping and assisting.
Finally, Minister Byron Camilleri reiterated that we are a few days away from ‘Police Week’, where we continue to recognize the crucial role that the Police Force plays in our lives. He thanked every member of the Corps, from the youngest to the youngest, for their hard work, commitment and loyalty to the people and the country.
For his part, the Commissioner of Police said that they are commemorating the expansion of the concept of community police while highlighting the work being done to improve the environment in which they operate. He claimed that this is being done for the benefit of both the police and the citizens who use their services.
“In 2019 we launched a pilot project whose result showed us that the public is thirsty for this concept. Today 75% of Malta is covered by the community policing service and by the end of 2023 the service will be extended to the whole country, “reiterated Commissioner Gafà while stating that the opening of this the office is showing that not only are patrols not being closed, but some that were previously barely open are being converted into modern and accessible offices.
The office that was inaugurated is the property of the police as soon as the site was purchased. Previously, the police station was two doors above, which was privately rented and did not have all the necessary requirements to operate today, including inaccessibility to all.
With this building, the Police Force has invested in a further space, built entirely new, to serve as an office for community policing. This office has rooms with adequate space so that community officials can operate comfortably, and above all this office is accessible to all. Today’s investment exceeds € 100,000.
