A petition calling for no disciplinary action to be taken against the police constable whose “dancing” video went viral has already attracted over 1,500 signatures.
Last Saturday, a video which a young female officer posted on the social media platform TikTok went viral. The officer was seen dancing to a popular TikTok trend
In a statement on Wednesday, the police said that when the police administration came to know about the video, the constable was ordered to remove it, while an investigation was initiated by the police internal affairs unit. Disciplinary proceedings were also taken, the police said, without further specifications.
Today, a petition addressed to the police was set up so that no disciplinary action is taken against her as she was simply trying to cheer people up in her video. Over 1,500 individuals have signed it so far.
A couple of days after the video was posted, celebrations erupted at the Granaries in Floriana after Floriana FC won the BOV Premier League. The footage of people gathered together caused a lot of concern and controversy due to the disregard of social distancing regulations. People were also angered by the lack of action from the police.
Someone used Francesca’s video to express this lack of action from the police and this is when the video blew up for all the wrong reasons.
Yesterday, it was reported that she is currently taking anti-depressants because of the backlash that she received from it.
Family members have expressed that this has done a lot of damage to the entire family.
Even Theo Vella, GWU Secretary within the Malta police force, took it to his Facebook page saying that we must be reasonable.
He said that the internal affairs of the Korp is obliged to investigate any allegations that it is notified of, be it breaking the law of misbehaviour from people within the Korp. However, if any disciplinary action is taken, it should be reasonable and proportionate.
He showed his solidarity with the police constable and condemned any form of cyberbullying that is directed at her and her family.