Last Sunday the country was shocked to see the footage of two police officers being attacked and violently assaulted during the course of their duty. The viral videos had everyone asking, how did we get here? How did we get to a point where discipline has flown out the window so much, that now, even Police officers are assaulted and attacked?

Well, the old adage goes, when in a hole stop digging. The Prime Minister, Robert Abela, had the nerve to pin the blame for the attack on his critics, and the critics of the Commissioner of Police Angelo Gafá. In his Sunday sermon, mere hours after the attack, he had the brazen arrogance to pass the parcel to whoever is seeing the sorry situation in the Police Corps for what it is. Stop digging Mr Prime Minister, because this is beyond believable at this point!

I was amongst the first to salute PC Clive and PC Aiden who were on the receiving end of the attack, and calling for them to be presented with a form of public recognition, while ensuring that they receive all the support they need.

My support for all police officers is undying and unconditional. I have said this in the past, and I will say it again. Our police officers, in their majority, are hardworking, dedicated officials who go out of their way to tend to the needs of the community and their assigned duties. I have nothing but respect for these officials and promise them that a new PN government will ensure to bestow them with the respect and status they have been stripped of, in the past years.

My criticism, and that of the Opposition, has always been levelled at the Police Commissioner, Minister Byron Camilleri and the Prime Minister. They are the reason why discipline in general has been deteriorating in the country, and why the Police Corps has been suffering from ever-diminishing respect.

We have been saying time and time again: the Police corps is lacking the proper resources to be able to rise to the challenges of our times. Unfortunately, however, our calls routinely fall on deaf ears.

We never heard how the Minister and his Commissioner plan to increase the number of officials in the Corps. We know how our police officers are stretched beyond their capabilities, exerting undue pressures on the individual members. This is simply unfair.

We never heard any plans on how the government plans to open our police stations again. Some stations have been closed for extended periods, only to be opened around election time to distribute voting documents. Our police stations shouldn't be glorified PO boxes! They should be permanent fixtures in our communities where members of the public can seek support and security in their daily lives.

We also never heard how the government plans to prioritise further training for our officials. The challenges faced by Police Corps around the world today, are far different from those of 10 or 20 years ago. Societies change, and so do the challenges of the times. Our police officers deserve to receive the best support in training and preparation to face the ever-changing landscapes in our society, in a dignified and fair manner.

Sadly, Commissioner Gafá's ineptness is not only resulting in causing enormous gaps in the administration of justice - it is now trickling down the ranks, resulting in great frustration on the part of countless honest police officers who are growing demotivated.

Thanks to the bad example set by our government politicians, and the 'u ija mhux xorta' (everything goes) attitude that has resulted, we have a serious issue with discipline, that needs addressing.

Unfortunately, the Police Corps under its present leadership will struggle to get its ducks in a row and rise to the challenge. We need a fresh start with a new outlook that gives our boys in blue the self-respect and dignity they much need.

Dr Darren Carabott is the Opposition's Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Reforms, and President of the Public Accounts Committee.