The Police Force welcomed 35 new members, after they successfully completed a training course at the Academy of Disciplined Bodies. Thus in a year the force will be strengthened with 102 new constables, while at the moment there are 55 recruits under-going the police course at the Academy.
During an oath ceremony, the Minister for the Interior, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri praised the commitment of the new constables who chose the path of joining the body to donate blood and new energy by serving and protecting the community.
“The role of the police is not only to enforce the law but to ensure the safety and well-being of every person in our community. Being a policeman is a calling and showing empathy, understanding and making decisions that can have a strong impact on people’s lives. Do your part in the positive change of the force and continue to be close to the people to have a long and rewarding career in the police force.”
Minister Camilleri said that the Government continues to invest and support the Police Force, so much so that in recent years it has made a revolution when it comes to police rights and conditions. He mentioned the signing of the sectoral agreement that improved the conditions and rights of the police. Strengthen the pension by 23% for those who offer up to 29 years of service and an additional allowance up to a maximum of four years equal to the payment of two years’ salary for those who offer more service to the country and to the people. A widow’s pension was also introduced in the event that a member of the body is absent during the period of being in service and between the statutory retirement age.
The government, said Minister Camilleri, will continue to equip the body with the tools it needs to work and equally will continue to improve the environment where they work.
Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà told the new constables to feel proud and motivated, as are the rest of the members, where in an internal independent survey, 90% also said that they are proud and motivated to serve in -Police Corps. Therefore, with this feeling, the new constables should be proud to wear the uniform so that with their work they pay tribute to their colleagues and to the entire Maltese and Gozitan people.
Mr. Gafà said that the Police Force continued to record very positive results, and “in fact according to the latest survey of the National Statistics Office (NSO), 90% of the Maltese and Gozitan people said that they have trust in the Police and in the professional work it carries out. This was reinforced by a Euro-barometer survey published last month, which further confirmed that the Police Force is by far the most trusted institution in the country.”
The Police Commissioner concluded by reminding the new constables to “always put the victims at the center of their operations. See that 24 hours a day you are worthy of the uniform that we give you the privilege of wearing today for the first time.”
