Police inspector Sandro Camilleri has disassociated himself from the racist comments being posted on the Police Officers Union Facebook page following posts which are related to migrants.

Various posts on the Police Officers Union Facebook page have opened up for a barrage of racist comments towards migrants residing in Marsa. The page has, in the past weeks, posted various newspaper articles of migrants causing havoc in Marsa or even attacking police officers. The comments posted underneath by members of the public have been nothing short of racist, some might even fall under hate speech. There are comments, which the paper chose not to reproduce, which even incite violence against migrants.

This newspaper got in touch with the POU GWU President Sandro Camilleri asking him whether he believes these posts are only published to provoke racist comments or whether in any way, such posts are opening an ugly can of worms with racists freely lashing out at migrants.

“I am against any form of racism, and let’s not forget, I have been one of the only police inspectors to press charges based on racism. I hate racism and I condemn racists fully. However, we post such reports online only to create awareness on the situation in places like Marsa. We have no intention to open the flow for racism. I am very open to diversity and have no particular problem with migrants.”

Speaking to The Malta Independent, Camilleri (above) said that a lot of police officers are facing attacks in Marsa. He clarified that it is not necessarily the case that the culprits are migrants. “To me personally, it makes absolutely no difference if the person is Maltese or migrant. If they attack our members, I have to speak up.” He said that the police need protection as in many cases, they are in risk of suffering injuries.

Camilleri said that he still deems it important to protect freedom of speech. “Most of the comments are not racist and I am not willing to shut people up. We have to understand certain people, especially those like the Marsa residents who might feel angry. Having said that, I will look personally into the comments one by one and delete any racist comment.” The inspector said he would be willing to report the persons who posted racially motivated comments.

“Believe me, we have no agenda against migrants here. The truth is, however, that we are receiving many reports of police officers being attacked in Marsa almost every day. I intend to speak up to protect my members.”

Meanwhile, maybe coincidentally, Marsa residents have organised a solidarity walk. The ‘Solidarity Walk with the People of Marsa’  on the 17 of September aims to “restore dignity to the people” of this locality. When asked if this protest’s timing is a coincidence, Sandro Camilleri said that he has nothing to do with it. The anti-migrant, right-wing party, Ghaqda Patrijotti Maltin have publicly declared they will be joining in the event.

“I don’t believe they are protesting because of what POU GWU posts on Facebook. Let me assure you, I am not involved, in any way, with the Ghaqda Patrijotti Maltin. I don’t agree with them at all, if I had to be honest.”

“I do not condemn the person who does the crime, I condemn the crime itself,” he concluded.

Camilleri said that he is often judged by the public, with some saying he is anti-immigration while others, say the exact opposite and accuse him of choosing to defend migrants over police officers.

Yesterday, the police were called to carry multiple raids in different areas in Marsa, including the infamous Tiger Bar. Police have been carrying out many raids over the past few weeks in order to ensure that any migrants there are working lawfully and have all permits in order. In a recent incident, 15 people were arrested in a drug bust in Tiger Bar.