I really just fail to comprehend the valid reason for all this frequent, and somewhat, frantic lambasting, even appearing in editorials of prominent local newspapers, directed against our Law Enforcement officers of various ranks and responsibilities.

Regrettably, on 7th January of this year, I experienced a truly heart-breaking experience that had instigated me to mention in the local press more than once. On that date, two uniformed police officers had turned up at my residence in Swieqi demanding, without an official warrant or formal charge, the confiscation of my fully licensed “hammerless” auto-pistol. This had immediately followed a visit from a kind female government social worker who while chatting calmly with me had also noticed the pistol lying on a table next to a tin of gun oil. Both my wife and the social worker were evidently unaware that it was simply a “hammerless” licensed pistol. The specific visit of this social worker was actually to assess my wife’s precarious condition and my own serious physical disabilities following two previous accidents. I am still incapable of walking without a walking-aid and have been confined to my home since I have not found a suitable able-bodied escort.

Records at General Police Headquarters in Floriana can not only attest to this particular 'hammerless' firearm, but also to several firearms in my licensed possession since my 18th year. Anyone residing in the location of Ta' Xbiex and in proximity of 16 apartment partly hidden from the main street will have passed through Embassy Way opposite these apartments, which many will recall the presence of the German Embassy and all other tenants made up exclusively of diplomats and secret agents from the USA, UK, Italy, France and even Israel.

With the approval of my superiors at H.O. of Cable & Wireless Ltd in London and Management in Malta, to act as the Administrator and with the Managing Director Worldwide of C&W Ltd complementing me to “keep up the good work inside and outside the office”.

I recently received an email from my social worker, passed on to her by the Senior Police Officer at St Julian’s stating, “You have no valid right to get back the pistol – case being monitored”.

Nevertheless, I am now anticipating the latest from Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar that this “case” referred to by the Senior Officer in Charge of the St Julian’s Police Station, will finally be declared “Case Closed”.

 

John Louis Curmi

Swieqi