Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/553115
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 9 AUGUST 2015 News 7 Minister to draft reform strategy for police force JURGEN BALZAN HOME affairs minister Carmelo Abela is in the process of drafting a new strategy, which will include an administrative shake up, for the fraught police corps. Speaking to MaltaToday, Abela said that the plan is "targeted to achieve a serious and efficient Po- lice Corps that also meets the exi- gencies of today's realities". Following criticism for an os- tensibly weak response to the re- cent controversies that engulfed the corps, Abela told MaltaToday that he wants to "restore people's trust in the police force". While pointing out that public trust has been on the wane for "a number of years," the minister said he is focused on restoring the force's reputation. He said the ministry's main aims in the coming months include en- hancing the police force's "trans- parency and accountability" while increasing investment in human resources. Furthermore, investments and improvements in training and equipment will be coupled by an administrative reorganisation. While pointing out that the in- troduction of a Chief Executive Officer will be an "integral part" of this restructuring process, Abela did not commit himself on whether an internal audit unit would be created. Abela also explained that he was overlooking an ongoing consul- tation process involving officers from both district and specialised units, while all police officers, from constables to Deputy Com- missioners, are being encouraged to take part in a confidential ques- tionnaire. Urging all police officers to be "part of the change" and partici- pate in the consultation process which ends on 16 August, Abela said "the ideas and suggestions of every member are valuable." Feedback received will be ana- lysed by criminologist Saviour Formosa and the data will be used in the reform process. Last year, the government an- nounced an imminent reform of the force's administrative struc- ture: including the appointment of a Chief Executive, controver- sially giving the force's top brass a three-year definite contract instead of the indefinite appoint- ments given under the current system. To date, however, these reforms have not been implemented but recent revelations about the ac- tions of police officers have made the need for such reforms more urgent. A recent inquiry into the in- volvement of a former inspector in the investigations of a 2008 murder said that then Inspec- tor Daniel Zammit, his father, the former acting commissioner Ray, and his brother and police inspector Roderick, all failed to ask for permission to enter into private business relationships, opening them up to conflicts of interest. The inquiry, led by former Judge Michael Mallia, also concluded that Daniel Zam- mit stalled the murder charge against Stephen Caruana, the son-in-law of businessman Joe Gaffarena, with whom the Zam- mit family had business links. Declaration of interests deadline confirmed In a terse comment to Mal- taToday, police chief Michael Cassar confirmed that the dead- line he set for the submission of a declaration of interests by all police officers still stands. Last week, a circular order- ing a declaration of interests by Monday, 10 August was issued 24 hours before the publication of the inquiry on Daniel Zammit. However, the newly created Po- lice Officers' Union (POU) has demanded a meeting with Cassar to clarify the order, insisting that it will only take an official stand after clearing a number of matters with the commissioner. "In principle I agree with de- claring all interests because I'm for absolute transparency, but we have demanded a meeting with the Police Commissioner because the circular is very vague," union president Sandro Camilleri told MaltaToday earlier this week. Explaining the union's reserva- tions, Camilleri said "we want to know how it will work out and whether all activities will be deemed as unacceptable. What will happen if an officer's wife owns a small family business?" In a succinct reply to MaltaTo- day's question on whether Cassar would be meeting the union, the force's media unit said: "the Com- missioner has communicated with the POU." While failing to confirm wheth- er the meeting will take place, the police's media unit confirmed that the 10 August deadline "still stands". Questions on whether Cassar agrees with the creation of an internal audit and investigations department and whether a struc- tural shake up was in the pipeline remained unanswered. jbalzan@mediatoday.com..mt GreenPak Coop Society, 18, St John Street, Fgura FGR 1447, Malta Tel: +356 21660233 Fax: +356 21803434 info@greenpak.com.mt )XOƓODOO\RXUUHF\FOLQJREOLJDWLRQV 3D\QRFRVWRQ0(3$ƓQDQFLDOJXDUDQWHHV %HQHƓWIURPWKHUHPRYDORIHFRFRQWULEXWLRQV +HIW\ƓQHVDSSO\IRUODWHUHJLVWUDWLRQV )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQDQGDQDSSOLFDWLRQIRUP SOHDVHYLVLWweee.com.mt LARGE HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT SMALL APPLIANCES ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC TOOLS REQ NO: 87600 IF YOU TRADE IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, JOIN GREENPAK NOW and meet the end August 2015 MEPA deadline Home affairs minister Carmelo Abela to pilot new reform for beleaguered police force • Police commissioner confirms 10 August deadline for submission of declaration of interests by police officers Carmelo Abela told MaltaToday that he wants to "restore people's trust in the police force". Minister Carmelo Abela and Commissioner of Police Michael Cassar