Police officers twice denied promotion

Gabriel Schembri A number of police sergeants who were supposed to be next in line for promotion to the rank of Sergeant Major (2nd Class) were denied the advancement not once, but twice, in two years. Instead, the promotions were given to other police sergeants with less experience and questionable credentials.

Genuinely concerned police officers who have approached The Malta Independent on Sunday explained that dozens of Sergeants (lst Class) who were due to be promoted in 2013 feel that they were cheated twice in two years.

Back in September 2013, the Police Force management issued a call for applicants for the position of Sergeant Major (2nd class) signed by the then Police Commissioner, Peter Paul Zammit.

It was later discovered that, for some mysterious reason, a second call was issued, with the same publication number, on the same day – 4 September 2013. The only thing distinguishing the two is that one of them lists very specific requirements for applicants who wished to apply for the promotion.

It was never established which of these calls was actually circulated.

A month later, an internal memo, issued by the office of the Police Commissioner, called for ‘Interviews for the post of Sergeant Majors (2nd class)’.

On November the same year, 13 sergeants from the 92 who applied were chosen and promoted. The 13 included two police officers who had already left the force and were subsequently reinstated.

Sources who spoke to this newspaper said that there are at least another 26 police sergeants who applied for promotion but were not considered for the job, despite satisfying the required skills and experience. Claiming discrimination, the police officers who spoke to this newspaper argued that the process had not been transparent at all.

The first issue that frustrated them was that the results of the final interviews were never made public. Among those who were promoted is one particular sergeant who is even criminal charges.

The majority of those promoted had just recently been promoted to Sergeant (lst class) as the management completely ignored the respect for seniority and in addition, some of those selected have dubious credentials, the source claims.

Grievances Unit

facing

On February 2014, after voicing their concerns, the police officers were advised that they could take up their complaint with a Grievances Unit that had been set up. The police force issued an internal circular to this effect. However, the management failed to specify that the unit would be dealing with police officers who had retired. This was even confirmed by a press release issued by the Office of the Prime Minister. The 26 complainants realised that the unit would not help officers still serving.

Sometime later, the Grievances Unit extended its remit so that those who were still serving in the force could apply. The press release which made the announcement public, clearly states “it is important that this circular is delivered to all the employees.”

The source said that either due to negligence, or intentionally, the police management failed to inform its members and so those who wished to apply could not do so because they had not been informed.

Lawrence Cutajar brought about fresh appointments

With the appointment of Lawrence Cutajar as acting Police Commissioner, came more unjustified promotions. On 5 May 2016, only a few days after he had had taken up the position, an internal circular announced the appointment of new Sergeant Majors (2nd class). Following this announcement, eight police sergeants were promoted. Incidentally, one of those chosen had not applied for the new position and had not even been serving in the force when the first batch of vacancies was advertised in 2013.

These 26 individuals feel that they were cheated twice in a couple of years and are now seeking justice through the Police Board who, however, has not replied to their complaints.

The police officers say they are willing to take their case before the civil courts.