New fleet of police cars
Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said yesterday that he hoped the police investigation into an alleged overtime racket at the Traffic Branch will be concluded in the coming weeks and that those involved in any wrongdoing will be brought to justice.
While he did not give a more specific timeframe, the minister noted that, apart from the internal police investigation and the ongoing magisterial inquiry, the Home Affairs Ministry had also instructed the Internal Audit and Investigations Department (IAID) to carry out an audit of all police sections.
The Traffic Branch lost over two-thirds of its members in a scandal related to overtime abuse and fuel misappropriation. The Malta Independent reported last week that the section recently engaged a new inspector and 12 officers, to replenish its depleted ranks.
Camilleri told this newsroom that these new officers are being given specialised training. Once they are fully trained, the Traffic
Branch will seek to engage more officers.
The minister was speaking during the inauguration of 23 new vehicles for district police, which were acquired at a cost of around €475,000.
The minister said this is the first time ever that district police will have a completely new and modern fleet. Up until recently, new cars would be given to the specialised branches before eventually being handed down to district police.
Camilleri said that, as a result of this investment, the new police cars will be more environmentally friendly as they are low-emission vehicles.
Around €2 million has been invested in new police vehicles over the past three years, Camilleri said.
The police force will also be looking to invest in hybrid vehicles, he said, although these might not be suitable for all police sections. The vehicles used by the Rapid Intervention Unit will also be replaced, he said.
The minister said this is part of an ongoing investment in the force. He added that the system of appointing police commissioners is currently being changed, and the force will have a transformation strategy in place in the coming months.