Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa together with Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri are the people who should be held responsible for all accidents which happen as a result of inaction when it comes to improving police officers’ working conditions, the Nationalist Party said on Wednesday during a press conference. 

The PN’s spokesperson for Home Affairs Joe Giglio said in a press conference on Wednesday that Malta is currently facing a situation where the Police force is lacking in new recruits while also losing the people it already has in its place due to a lack of motivation. 

“Police officers are going through difficult times; they are feeling demotivated because of different situations such as being overworked, overstretched and underpaid,” he said. 

He added that “we always hear about someone leaving the force,” whilst new recruits are hard to come by. 

Referring to the bad state in which several police stations are, Giglio said that this is not the environment in which police should be working in and that “they deserve better.” 

The Malta Police Union has over the past few days highlighted the poor infrastructural conditions at the St. Julian’s police station and the Valletta police station, with the former even being described as a “horror house.” 

Giglio also made reference to the Five Year Police Development Plan, saying that despite the fact that this was the document which secured Angelo Gafa his place as Police Commissioner, it “is either not working or it is not bearing any fruit.” 

Giglio added that the bad working conditions in which the Police must work reflects on the country’s national security in general. He continued by saying that even LESA official’s work conditions are not up to standard. 

“As the PN we are going to insist for a general drastic reform for a better working environment and conditions for the police, as we want to increase people’s trust in them,” he said.

The PN’s spokesperson for Gozo Alex Borg said that the lack of security can also be felt in the sister island. 

“We have seen several incidents which are causing tension amongst citizens, who in return do not trust the police,” he said. 

He added that he does not blame the police themselves for this happening as, despite lacking in resources, they are doing the job the best they can. 

Speaking about Marsalforn, Xlendi and Mgarr, he said that “we have seen a drastic change in residents; they are becoming very fearful because of the lack of police presence. There shouldn’t be this lack of presence, particularly since there has been an increase of drug abuse cases and fights in these areas.” 

“Everyone has a right to feel safe in their home,” he said. 

Borg said that the PN is ready to work with the government to ensure that this problem is tackled immediately.