New border control technology for Malta's police force

The police have upgraded their border control technology in five separate projects, majorly funded by EU migration grants.

In a statement, the Malta Police Force said that they have purchased 30 two-way radios for officers entrusted with border control, which will allow them to simultaneously communicate with their colleagues at range at no additional cost. 

They also procured 30 biometric standalone devices that will allow border control personnel to crosscheck fingerprints and passports with both national and international stop lists. Since the devices utilise mobile telephony technology, it will allow people to be screened on the spot without the need for Internet or computer connection.

Equipment at police stations that connects the national border control system with foreign databases so as to compare immigrant data will be extended to identified points of entry and training at the police academy.

The infrastructure at the National Schengen Unit has also been upgraded in a project that included security and health and safety enhancements, as well as the purchasing of information and communication technology equipment.

The last project involved the introduction of an Advance Passenger Information System, an advanced system that concerns aviation and maritime security. The facility obtains passenger data from airline and sea carrier systems in order to vet passengers prior to their arrival in the Maltese Islands, potentially identifying and stopping suspects before they even leave their point of origin and consequently reducing the number of repatriations.