“Once a police officer, always a police officer.” This was the general feeling uttered amongst the 40 police officers who were appointed today as part-time police officers, better known as reserve police constables, during a ceremony held at the Police General Headquarters.
The Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Carmelo Abela, together with Commissioner of Police Lawrence Cutajar, presided over the swearing-in ceremony of these police officers - 36 men and 4 women - who will from now on support the various police sectors as required.
Mr Abela explained that those police officers who terminate their 25 years of service are entitled to a police pension together with the right to another job. He mentioned how the Ministry recognised that a number of police officers who are in this situation still have the will and the necessary skills to continue serving in police work.
Thus, this potential was valued and in recent weeks the Force initiated a recruitment process where those who terminated 25 years of service and were still prepared to serve, were given this opportunity.
The opportunity was also extended to those who had served on a full-time basis but had left the force due to personal circumstances.
“We recognise that the love for the uniform and the service are a vocation that is not easy to put aside. Use this opportunity to pass on the passion for police work to younger colleagues”, said Minister Abela. He appealed to them to share the knowledge and experience that they gathered over the years with their colleagues and be for them a shoulder and good guidance.
The 40 police reserve constables will be working from 23 hours a week to a maximum of 35 hours a week. They come from different police sectors, both districts and special units. They will be serving as support to keep on strengthening the human resources of police stations.
During the recruitment process, eligible candidates were interviewed by a selection board. They were assessed on issues related to their career in the force such as motivation, personality, police knowledge and a medical examination by the Doctor of the Force