Malta crime rate drops to 30 cases per thousand people - Byron Camilleri
Malta Police Force welcomes 36 new members as Home Affairs minister urges them to increase citizens' trust in the police
The Malta Police Force welcomed 36 new members on Thursday at a time when the crime rate has dropped to 30 crimes per thousand people, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of appointment, Camilleri said that 20 years ago, despite a smaller population and lower economic activity, the crime rate was 46 cases per thousand people.
He added that the government was committed to supporting the Police Force after the second sectoral agreement was signed a few months ago and an increase in pension was secured for those who serve for 29 years.
A widow’s pension has also been introduced in case a member of the corps passes away during active service before the statutory retirement age.
At the ceremony, Camilleri urged the new recruits to show responsibility and commitment to take the best decisions for the benefit of the community and, above all, to work tirelessly to increase citizens’ trust in them.
Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa said that Malta is now ranked among the ten safest countries in the world and that the police force is consistently regarded as the “most trusted institution” in the country.
Gafa thanked Constable Christine Cutajar who will be retiring in the coming weeks. Over the years, she had been responsible for 15 recruitments of constables including this one.
The PC Mark Farrugia award for the best recruit was given to Constable Nicholas Bugelli.