President Edward Fenech Adami recently paid an official visit to the Police Academy at Fort St Elmo.

Police Commissioner John Rizzo and Commandant Ronald Kelly showed the President around the various facilities and explained that the 135 recruits, including 35 women, are currently following a basic training course which started in October and ends next month, when they will formally join the force as constables.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg, Parliamentary Secretary in the Justice Ministry Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici and Academy Board Chairman Joe Sammut were among those present.

The course covers various aspects of police work, including first aid, customer care, leadership and communication skills.

During his visit, Dr Fenech Adami watched the trainees practise drill, unarmed combat and firearm shooting and attending lectures in law. He also was taken around the assault course, dormitories and the computer room.

Mr Rizzo spoke about the importance of training for the police force, apart from basic training and in-service courses.

He explained that the provision of in-service courses was a new system that had been introduced whereby members of the force are given several hours of training every month on different subjects.

Dr Fenech Adami said the police force enjoyed the people’s respect but the public still needed to become more aware of the valuable service which the force gave.

The recruits presented four wheelchairs to be used by the Community Chest Fund.

The recruits recently also gave a helping hand at 22 philanthropic institutions and donated blood.