Commissioner of Police Lawrence Cutajar and Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia have just promoted 10 superintendents to assistant commissioners, making it the largest amount of assistant commissioners in the history of the Maltese Police Corps.

This was said by Commissioner Cutajar himself.

Commissioner Cutajar told the Malta Independent that "this is a historic moment. Aside from the fact that the first female Assistance Commissioner was promoted, we have ten superintendents promoted to assistant commissioners, which, in addition to the two we already have makes 12. The largest amount there has ever been in the history of the corps."

"The way the corps has been re-organised, such an amount is required. One of the new things we have been able to change thanks to these promotions regards the way the districts work. Before, we had a single assistant commissioner for each of the two regions (north and south), who possibly had too large an area to control. Now each region will have two assistant commissioners, so that their work will be more concentrated. One step we took is to put the Sliema and St Julian's district under one assistant commissioner for the simple reason that there is quite a large concentration of work in this area."

He also said that there are other specialised sections that should be under an assistant commissioner, such as drugs, fraud etc. One for each section. "I assure you each of the 12 assistant commissioners have their specific role."

All ten new assistant commissioners were, previously, superintendents. The commissioner admitted that this has created a vacuum in the superintendent grade. "However at the moment a course for 38 individuals is underway, where those who pass will be appointed as inspectors. In the coming week or two we will issue an internal call for applications for the position of superintendents."

Minister Farrugia was asked why the number of assistant commissioners have increased to this record number. The minister also explained that this was part of the reorganisation and said that they would be able to take responsibility of different sections.

He said nowadays more importance is given to technological advancements and forensics. On forensics, he said they are working on improving this section and that decisions have already been taken to improve the forensic section facilities.

Turning to the responsibilities of the new assistant commissioners, he mentioned criminal investigations, human resources, administration, legal affairs and other areas.

Asked whether it is worrying to have such promotions so close to the elections, especially considering now more promotions to the posts of superintendent would be needed, he said: "The elections were expected next year. There is a restructuring process ongoing which was agreed upon by a number of sections, including the CEO. This is part of the restructuring process which falls as part of government's plan to move forward and to have a better police force."

The minister said that the police will keep recruiting, and government wants more police on the beat, to be closer to the people and to work on crime prevention.

Speaking with this newsroom, assistant commissioner Alexandra Mamo said she feels honoured being the first female in the third highest rank in the corps. She said she is determined to continue her work for the good of the people and the communities of Sliema and St Julian's (the localities that fall under her watch)

The new assistant commissioners are Neville Xuereb, Stephen Mallia, Dennis Theuma, Ramon Mercieca, Ian Joseph Abdilla, Mario Tonna, Alexandra Mamo, Nazzareno Grixti, Kevin Farrugia and Alexander Gatt.