From dealing with the controversial closure of a dog sanctuary in Manoel Island to the handling of the Naxxar fireworks explosion, the former head of the Civil Protection Department Peter Cordina talks about various episodes in his 43-year-long career that started in 1967 with the police force.

Mr Cordina speaks to Kurt Sansone about his love for the uniform that saw him move from the police to the army to head of prisons until his last job heading the Civil Protection Department since it was first set up set up in 2000.

Retiring from active service a couple of weeks ago after reaching 61, Mr Cordina describes his time as Prison Director as a learning experience. He agrees with parole and insists inmates must be given a chance to reform.

Mr Cordina’s full interview appears in The Sunday Times today.