Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar is again under the spotlight, not only because he could face the chop when a new Labour leader and Prime Minister is installed, but also because of the apparent shortcomings in the investigation into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Last week, one of the PL leadership contenders, Chris Fearne, said he would subject the police commissioner to a two-thirds vote in Parliament. Fearne said both the head of police and the Attorney General should be appointed and removed with a bi-partisan majority.

The other contender, Robert Abela, was even bolder and said he would immediately remove Cutajar from his post.

In the meantime, questions have arisen on some aspects of the Daphne murder investigation. People are asking why the police have been unable to trace Keith Schembri’s phone when they managed to find missing phones in other cases in the space of a few hours. They are also asking why Schembri is not under arrest or police bail, given that he is still under investigation in connection with the murder and claims of obstruction of justice.

Questions have also arisen as to why the uncle and brother of alleged murder mastermind Yorgen Fenech, Ray and Franco, have not been arrested when they were allegedly involved in Fenech’s escape plans.

One might argue that that the commissioner is not directly involved in the investigation, but as the captain of that particular ship, he carries all the responsibility.

Sources have also told us that the police lack certain important equipment and training. In other cases they had the resources needed but failed to use them properly. We have also heard shocking stories of serving police officers being seconded to ministries, of officers being involved in Labour Party organs and of others running Labour Party clubs.

It is true that the police force has always been tainted by political interference, but it seems to us that things have gotten way out of hand under this administration.

The reputation of the police force leadership has suffered tremendously since 2013. Cutajar is, after all, the fourth police commissioner appointed by the Muscat government.

The Muscat administration had, in 2013 removed John Rizzo and appointed Peter Paul Zammit to replace him. Zammit’s tenure was dogged by claims that he had not cooperated with OLAF in the John Dalli investigation and later that he had taken a decision not to press charges against a man who assaulted police officers at the Zabbar station.

In 2015, he was replaced by Ray Zammit, whose reputation was damaged in the fallout of the shooting incident involving then minister Manuel Mallia’s driver. He was also involved in a controversial property deal with the Lands Authority, and one of his sons also came under a spotlight when he was employed with Enemalta shortly after being boarded out of the police force on medical grounds.

Next came Michael Cassar, who resigned after sixteen months in office, citing medical reasons.

Then, the government appointed Lawrence Cutajar, a choice that was widely regarded as strange seeing that the new commissioner did not have any investigative background. The Nationalist Party has always criticised Cutajar of being a ‘puppet’ for the government and of failing to take swift action in a variety of high-profile cases.

Cutajar will perhaps be remembered mostly for his role in the Pilatus Bank scandal, when the bank owner entered and left the building (with bags in hand) unhindered while the commissioner feasted on rabbit in Mgarr.

The Commissioner is once again facing calls for his resignation over inaction, calls which are also being echoed by civil society groups and the media.

The fact that neither he, nor any other police officer has held a crime conference about the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation has only served to raise more eyebrows and strengthen the impression that the commissioner lacks the leadership required to lead the force.

This is not a personal attack against Lawrence Cutajar. But it has long become apparent that he is not the right person to lead the Malta Police Force, especially at a time when political scandals and crime come two a penny. 

A man (or woman) of action is needed – someone who is a born leader and who ideally has experience in one of the major police investigative units. The next police commissioner cannot be a political appointment. That person has to enjoy the trust of both sides of the house and, more importantly, the public. It has to be a person who takes immediate action when serious claims of wrongdoing come to light – when time is wasted, people will always think that this is done on purpose, so that evidence might be removed.

He or she must be a person who brings about the necessary investment in resources, both human and technological.

The new commissioner must eradicate partisan politics and affiliations from the force. Shady secondments must stop.

Furthermore, the new police chief must have the courage to say no to politicians whenever they try to interfere, as they undoubtedly will.