Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/987221
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 MAY 2018 INTERVIEW A number of people – and not only politicians – have claimed to have lost faith in the Police Corps or in the Police Commissioner, or have accused the police of being nothing more than a tool in the hands of the political leaders. To make matters worse, the police was seen to take no action, for example in the Panama Papers scandal aftermath, until criminal complaints were filed. Doesn't that diminish trust in the Corps? It is very dangerous for some- one to say they don't trust the Police Corps. One can distrust some police officer or other, but it is not right to generalise because our morale takes a se- vere beating every time we are faced with such claims. In the many accusations and claims raised, hardly any evidence was presented. I was not involved in any way in any of these in- vestigations. I believe that the Opposition in particular has the duty to criticise but I also believe that when making any kind of accusation, one must be in possession of evidence to back the claims. There are cas- es where there are only hints and suggestions, not even accu- sations, and yet people expect the police to investigate. To make matters worse, the Corps cannot give public updates on ongoing investigations … But when there are accusations against politically exposed persons, possibly involved in an international scandal like Panama Papers, with the entire country talking about it, wouldn't you agree the police force has a duty to let the public know what actions it has taken in such instances? I have always believed that justice should really not only be done, but be seen to be done, and that the rule of law is supreme. But politicians, including MEPs, have a lot of clout especially when it comes to scrutiny. So why do they not come forward with any evi- dence they might have in their possession? Because we have seen many accusations and claims but I personally have seen no evidence whatsoever to back them up. Certain people were named, but I did not see any evidence showing wrong- doing on their part. And this does not count for PEPs alone, but for the whole society. For example, I see certain people around who enjoy a particular quality of life, and wonder how they are never investigated. I've even seen this within the Po- lice Corps itself. I sometimes wonder: How is it possible that I have been in the police for so long, and I'm lucky to be able to afford a small car and can hard- ly make ends meet with the sal- ary I have, while other police officers are well-off? There used to be investigations in the past, and I believe there should be more. I have never been in- vestigated for corruption or similar offences, and anyone is free to do so, because I am not ashamed to say that I am dying of hunger [mejjet bil-guh] with a salary of €1,600 a month. I have been attacked for saying how much I earn, but I don't believe it should be a secret. Back to investigating these claims though. Don't you think they warranted investigation? This is not a matter of investi- gations of national importance alone. There have been numer- ous false claims against the police, accusing us of beating people up – though at the mo- ment we are the ones getting beaten up. Not too long ago, we saw the headlines, 'Man beaten up in police van'. All the policemen were arrested and suspended from duty, but after two years the man admitted to having fabricated the claims. Can you imagine the morale within the Corps during those two years? Don't get me wrong. Just as there are good and bad priests, there are some bad ap- ples within the police as well. And that is why I have been very vocal in calling for random testing for police officers, if these tests are carried out well and fairly. We are part of an organised force and we should accept scrutiny. How do you feel knowing that people are joining the force, even without having a clean police conduct record? We need to make a distinction between the police conduct and a person's criminal record. Chapter 164 clearly says that the Police Corps should reflect society. I do not believe people with a criminal record should be allowed to join. But we need to be clear because some con- traventions, even fines, may find their way onto a person's police conduct, which in some cases, can be wiped clean. We should, instead, focus on the person's criminal record, and what types of crimes they have committed in the past. Because even with a criminal past, peo- ple should not be summar- ily turned away, depending on the nature of their crimes of course. Recent reports have claimed that the Italian mafia is infiltrating various sectors in Malta, including the gaming industry. Is the Malta police equipped to deal with such an incursion from organised crime if it had to take root? At the moment these are mere claims, although they should be investigated. We should be fo- cusing on intelligence-led po- licing but unfortunately we find ourselves having nearly half the 2,000-strong force serving in clerical or fixed-point duties. Instead, the police – down to the lowest constable – should be focusing time and energy on gathering intelligence, staying up to date on what is happen- ing in their localities. No mem- ber of the force should have to be wasted on closing roads and standing by barriers or spend- ing months on end guarding a door. But with regard to these claims you mentioned, we need to see where they are coming from and why. But are the police equipped and qualified to rout out organised crime? I think more investment is warranted, both in equipment as well as in the right people. We need more trained per- sonnel and we need to recog- nise that better-trained and educated policemen should be recognised and rewarded. Why should a constable whose only duty is to drive officers around, or to man fixed-point guard positions, be paid the same as a constable who has shown an aptitude for investigation, ar- rests and prosecution? That is how you bring the morale down. You mentioned pay. Are the police paid well? Absolutely not. The pay is very poor, although we have seen some improvement re- cently. For example, it's only been a couple of years that the fixed-point duty I mentioned is being considered overtime, instead of being used to pun- ish or ostracise constables. I can speak from personal ex- perience, because when I was a constable I was posted at the Valletta police station and I recall being given fixed-point duty at a building's door for When a traffic police officer was grievously injured in a hit-and-run accident two weeks ago, the driver of the luxury car involved was soon identified as a 17-year-old. Inspector SANDRO CAMILLERI, president of the Police Officers Union says the fight for better equipment and training must be complemented by a broader fight on intolerance and arrogance Fighting the good fight Paul Cocks I see certain people around who enjoy a particular quality of life, and wonder how they are never investigated. I've even seen this within the Police Corps itself pcocks@mediatoday.com.mt