Assistant police chief for organised crime suspended over car parts theft claim
Malcolm Bondin faces claims he stole car parts, sources say
A top police official who heads up organised crime has been suspended over claims he stole car parts.
Malcolm Bondin, assistant chief commissioner, was reported anonymously through the 'Break the Silence' system. Police did not name him but said in a statement that he was a "high-ranking" official.
“An investigation into these allegations was immediately launched, and as an administrative measure, the official in question was placed on forced leave,” the police statement said.
Investigations are still ongoing. No details of the alleged theft were revealed but it is understood it relates to a second hand car bumper.
“The Police Corps remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency,” they said.
Bondin is one of nine assistant commissioners and oversees the central intelligence and drugs units. He has been a member of the Malta Police Force since 2008, according to his LinkedIn profile and was made a superintendent in 2021.
He is also a former president of the Police Union.
Bondin has been involved in some high profile recent cases including investigating the audacious theft of of 132kg of cannabis resin from a container stored in an army facility at the Safi barracks in February.
It is understood his colleagues were informed on Thursday.
Questions have been sent to the police.
It is the second time this year that a high-ranking officer was suspended over similar allegations.
In January, a police superintendent was suspended for allegedly taking a pair of boots from the Floriana headquarters.
The body that decides on disciplinary issues for public-sector workers later decided that Sandra Zammit, a superintendent, should resign via a police procedure that provides officers with an alternative to a straight-up dismissal.
After the Public Service Commission’s decision, approved by the prime minister, Zammit went to court arguing that the commission's ruling was disproportionate to what she had done.
While the police corps argued that Zammit took the boots without permission, the suspended officer said she had changed her defective boots for a new pair but had forgotten to register taking the new shoes, which cost around €164.