Home Affairs minister to tour localities over public safety concerns
Glenn Bedingfield says he wants to hear residents' concerns on law and order as 18 new inspectors and 27 community support officers are appointed
The Home Affairs Minister will be touring localities over the coming weeks to learn first hand about residents’ concerns and suggestions on public safety and law and order.
Speaking during a ceremony on Thursday at the Police Headquarters where 18 new inspectors and 27 new police patrol and community support officers were appointed, Glenn Bedingfield said the initiative will be based on “open dialogue” with local communities.
There have been several reports of anti-social behaviour in recent weeks including two men caught defecating on private property, as well as repeated complaints of disturbances and vandalism in Swieqi, among others.
The announcement comes a day after Bedingfield signed the legal notice to introduce on-the-spot fines for non-residents, over a month after it was originally scheduled to come into force.
Bedingfield said the aim of the initiative was to “further strengthen the relationship of trust between communities and the authorities while ensuring that any concerns are addressed seriously and without delay”.
During the ceremony, 18 new inspectors were appointed, seven of whom joined the police force directly at inspector rank after meeting the required academic qualifications.
In his address, the minister said the rank of inspector brings greater responsibility and a leadership role requiring integrity, wisdom, sound judgement and the ability to make difficult decisions.
"Your conduct will reflect on the entire Police Force. The success of the force depends not only on the laws it enforces but also on the quality of its leadership," he said.
27 new police patrol and community support officers were appointed on Thursday. Photo: DOIHe also welcomed the 27 new police patrol and community support officers, stressing that they would play a crucial role in strengthening the police presence within local communities.
"Good public order is built not only through law enforcement but also through presence, dialogue and relationships of trust with the public. You will be the face of the Police Force in our localities," the minister said.
Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà said the Police Force was “now more open, more willing to listen and better prepared to support its members through the challenges they face”.