The police force will be deciding whether to terminate the employment of a number of police officers under investigation for overtime abuse, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said.
Speaking to journalists, Camilleri would not give the number of officers under investigation, some of whom have been arrested and suspended.
This morning the police arrested some of their colleagues in the traffic section as part of an investigation into overtime abuse, a statement said.
"Police investigations are still underway," Camilleri said, "The numbers involved will be confirmed once investigations are complete. The final number will be known once any officers are charged in court once investigations are over," he emphasised.
Camilleri confirmed that the police force established a contingency plan that sees other officers from other sections taking over responsibilities of the suspended officers.
The minister would not be drawn into commenting on whether other sections of the force are under the microscope. "The police are obliged to investigate everything and everyone if there are allegations in their regard," he said.
Once investigations are complete, the police would prosecute the officers concerned. He also highlighted that, in the coming weeks, the new prosecutor general's office would be taking over this duty from the police.