There was a time when law-abiding citizens feared police officers; when human rights were a joke; when police officers were stereotyped as being poorly educated individuals. The Malta Police Force of today is a far cry from that of 20 years ago. The working conditions of police officers have improved steadily; except for a brief period between 1996 and 1998.

I am sure that most of us remember the financial hofra (hole) hype that was constantly thrown at us by the New Labour government of the day. The hofra was always blamed for the futile sacrifices; “futile” because evidently, they never served to fill the famous financial hole, or reduce the enormous national deficit of those days. In its effort to control the national debt, the New Labour government took measures and on the receiving end, although not alone, were the police.

In fact, the recruitment of new police officers was frozen and funds for the police force were reduced. When the Nationalist Party took over in 1998, the hofra was not only still there, it had actually grown. However, the new government did not waste time. The police force was and is clearly a priority for the government.

Indeed, the steady achievements that the police force is enjoying are not the result of mere serendipity! Statistics indicate that reported crime has decreased and, even the crime that is being reported seems to be less serious than was reported before. In addition, the police has managed to make impressive drugs hauls. Well-trained, academically strong, decently-paid, respected and well-resourced police officers cannot but succeed in their continuous fight against crime.

People, certainly much more distinguished than me, have acknowledged this over and over again throughout the history of the police force. Therefore, the fact that, in the budget projected for 2008, the government has made provisions for the setting up of a new, well-resourced police academy augurs well for the future of policing in Malta.

Historically, the police authorities in Malta (even those under the British) were always concerned with the quality of police recruits. A famous axiom states that “if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys”; I am sure that few would argue with me when I claim that people with monkey personalities make very dangerous police officers indeed! I am certain that most of us remember the violent events of the 1980s.

Although it is argued that only a small group of police officers in fact acted in an abusive manner, the image of the police officer received a staggering blow. However, thanks to the relentless efforts of successive governments (led by the Nationalist Party) and assiduous police officers (of every rank), the Malta Police Force has evolved into an accountable and efficient institution.

We need smart, well-educated, well-mannered, motivated women of good moral standing, as well as men, in law enforcement. The Police Academy and the Institute of Forensic Studies (in the University of Malta) are providing excellent training and academic courses. The Institute’s criminology courses (and the annual public lectures that start on 21 November) are very well attended by police officers and the general public. I cannot but congratulate the many police officers who against all odds, further their studies in criminology to improve their on-the-job performance. Well done!

Thankfully, employment opportunities abound in modern Malta so the authorities have to offer the best conditions possible if they want to attract the best people to the police force! I think that the constant wage increases/allowances may only be partially responsible for the increase in police recruits.

Besides other enticing benefits, such as the possibility to retire after 25 years’ service, the additional financial support to the police force (even through EU funding) has made it possible for police authorities to have many police stations restored and to invest in modern technology. However, besides additional funding, Malta’s accession to the European Union has provided several learning opportunities for members of the police force, especially in view of Malta joining the Schengen area this coming November.

When one compares the present-day conditions of police officers with those of 20 years ago, one cannot but note a considerable improvement. The government’s steady financial investment in the police force is evidence that police officers are very highly regarded. The authorities faced and rose to the challenge of strengthening the police without making Malta a police state and without negatively affecting human rights.

Police Headquarters were modernised, new equipment was purchased, police officers were trained and instructed to stay away from partisan politics and victims are now given more attention.

For the public’s peace of mind, there is now a code of practice for police interrogations, a police complaint board and, the law now stipulates that the police need a warrant to arrest and/or conduct searches.

Conversely, the police force has been further strengthened in its fight against crime as follows: the attorney general can now appeal against what could be considered “soft” sentences; it is now easier for criminals to expose each other and, it is now more difficult for perpetrators of serious crimes to be given bail.

So, are we there yet? Certainly not! But it sure seems that we are on the right track … let us keep it that way!

Dr Azzopardi is a Lecturer/Criminologist and Director of the Institute of Forensic Studies at the University of Malta