The government has extended the appointment of Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa for four more years, leading the Nationalist Party to criticise the move as it says the commissioner has filed in his duties.

The PN is disappointed, but not surprised, that the appointment has been extended, the party’s spokesman for home affairs Darren Carabott said.

This was the moment for the force to be given the leadership it deserved, and not be led by a political appointee, the party said.

The extension of the appointment shows that Prime Minister Robert Abela wants more of the same from the police force, which has often been accused of being weak with the strong and strong with the weak.

The PN said that the time has come for the police commissioner to be appointed with a two-thirds majority approval in Parliament. Abela has ignored the suggestion and has chosen to reappoint someone under whose guidance the police failed to take action many times, the PN said.

Gafa has faced several calls for resignation during his time as commissioner, as the police is often accused of not doing its duty on serious matters such as by not investigating the hospitals' deal which has now seen, only thanks to a magisterial inquiry, former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and three other former ministers charged with serious accusations.

The government has not publicly announced the renewal of the appointment.