A number of Police Force members were awarded a trophy or certificate for their exceptional sense of duty during a ceremony held today.

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said that “through your actions, you are making a difference in people’s lives.”

Commissioner Michael Cassar was also present for the ceremony.

Mr Abela urged police to be closer to the community and to be proactive, especially when crimes are becoming more sophisticated than ever before.

He said the government will continue to acknowledge the work done by the police and will continue to invest in the force so that the conditions of workers will be further improved. Mr Abela also pointed out that discussions are set to start on overtime arrears of the police, overtime which is understood to have been worked during the 1990s.

He praised the police for their impeccable work during the CHOGM summit, the local council elections and the spring hunting referendum.

The youngest member of the Force - WPC Amy Marie Mawdsley - was presented with a trophy which is to be placed in the Police Force museum.

The 2015 prize was awarded to PC Paul Cassar for his instrumental work as a constable, who, during his course of duty, saved a person from committing suicide in Sliema. He was also responsible for having evacuated a family from their Sliema home after a fire engulfed their residence.

Other members who were presented with a certificate were PC John Spiteri, PC Franceso Imbroll, PC David Mizzi, PC Jurgen Falzon, PS Bjorn Schembri, PC James Mangion, PC Nigel Mallia, PC Steven Micallef, PC David Anthony Monaco, and PC Dion Fenech.