Police Commissioner John Rizzo was a very proud father today as he watched his son Keith graduate from the Police Academy along with a group of 130 recruits.

The recruits held their marching out parade at Fort St Elmo, where the academy is based, amid applause by their parents. They were inspected by Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and Mr Rizzo.

The parade marked the completion of a nine-month course - by far the longest and most intensive course held for new members of the Force. The previous course was only seven weeks long.

The recruits were lectured in police law, discipline and tactics at the academy and received practical training by the Training branch. They also served in police stations and carried out work in the community.

The police force is currently in the process of recruiting another group of 100. Their course is expected to take a year.

In an address Dr Mifsud Bonnici praised the recruits for having opted to serve their country and praised the Academy for having deepened the training it gives them. He also praised the Academy for providing ongoing training to all members of the Force.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici noted that the recruits, upon taking their oath, had assumed powers which even the President, the Prime Minister and himself did not have, such as the authority to arrest and hold persons. He urged them to exercise their authority with responsibility and to apply their powers without fear or favour and according to law.

He also urged them to ensure that the police continued to enjoy the people’s esteem.

He said the government remained committed to strengthening the Force and fighting crime.

The crime rate was decreasing, he said, and the members of the Force had a duty to ensure that this process continued.

The minister also thanked the families of the new policemen and women and urged them to continue their support.