The Malta Independent received information from sources within the Police Department that certain issues have propped up at the Quarter Master Stores (QMS).

According to the source, officers were calling the QMS to change their uniforms or replace certain items and some were being told to return in January as none were in stock. According to the source, more part-timers had also been recruited, however no funds are available for them.

In response to questions posed to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry denied that the Police Corps is out of funds. A representative said; “The Ministry is not informed of any particular funding problem. To the contrary, the Police Corp is undergoing a process to improve and make safer and more comfortable the Police Uniforms. Particularly, police members in the traffic section have been given added gear for their safety. Discussions for the financial allocation of the upcoming budget are still ongoing”.

The Ministry representative added; “The Police recruits who for the first time were trained in the newly-built Police Academy will soon finish their training. There will be another call for new Police recruits”.

This will be the first time since January 2013 that new recruits, who are not re-instated officers, will enter the force. An exact date of their graduation has not yet been given however a source told this paper that it will occur sometime in November.