Malta Police Association files judicial protest against government

In a judicial protest filed this morning, the Malta Police Association called on the government to withdraw a recent addendum to the contracts for the positions of Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commisioner of Police and Assistant Commissioner of Police.

The protest, filed against Principal Permanent Secretary Mario Cutajar and the Permanent Secretary at the Home Affairs Ministry Kevin Mahoney argues that the addendum, which introduces performance agreements will only serve to “undermine the independence and the integrity” of the force.

According to the addendum, the appointments to the three highest ranks would be based “on a performance agreement at par with headship positions”.

The MPA expressed concern that this type of agreement was unprecedented in the history of the police force and was not in the interests of its members, remarking that the highest police officers should not depend on the “subjective discretion of the government”.

In addition, it claims that the changes in the employment conditions are in breach of the law which regulates the conditions, rights and appointments of the Police Force.

The association declared itself open to discussion on how to improve the performance of officers in the highest echelons of the Force, pointing out that such mechanisms were already in place, as laid down by the Police Act.

It noted that, in spite of attempts to find a solution and avoid a confrontation, the government was insisting in its refusal to withdraw this agreement.