Any police officer will now be able to anonymously report alleged abuse within the Police Force without fear of facing disciplinary action, in a change in favour of greater accountability in the Police Force. This is being done after a schedule in the Police Act was amended, the Government said today.
Before the implementation of this reform, led by the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement, a member of the Police Force would face disciplinary proceedings if caught making an anonymous report. Filing an anonymous report will now be possible according to the established procedures.
Minister Byron Camilleri explained that the leadership of the Police Force will be implementing a series of other measures over the coming weeks that will enhance transparency and accountability.
“Through this reform, we are sending a clear signal of where we want to take the force. We want to ensure that there are internal systems in place that allow a member of the Police Force, from constables to officers in other ranks, that feel comfortable reporting abuse even if it concerns their peers,” he said.
He added that, “most of all, this is the first step towards establishing a clear anti-fraud and corruption policy in the Police Force that strengthens good governance.”
The Government said that over the summer, it is committed to adopting a number of recommendations made by the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO).
Photo: DOI/Clodagh O’Neill