Desperate situation in Gozo (10PD)

The Malta Police Union has been receiving complaints from its members for the past months in relation to the following points, which we feel these may be resolved easily.

1) Vacation Leave: Apparently the 10PD, for VL purposes is considered as 1 district, without taking into consideration it is divided into a District, Offices and squads. Currently there is only 1 VL list. This is creating a serious issue for our members when booking VL, which has become practically impossible. It is useless having an endless list when only a limited number is granted.

We suggest and expect that the VL booking system is divided and taken according to the different sections. The example of GHQ should be taken, where although it is considered as 1 headquarters, all sections/offices have their VL booking list.

2) Detail of duties: It has become a habit that members, mostly at the garage are being detailed at different sections at the same time, example garage and Xlendi. This is not ideal as the responsibilities differ. It is true that we have always been told that an officer is a ‘Jack of all trades’ but this has now been taken to an absurd limit.

Our members have come to a point where when there is a commitment at the garage in the middle of the shift or worst at the end like for example there is a sudden death, our members have to go change the district uniform with the garage clothing and get the hearse. Similar situation occurs when there is a detainee.

We have reports where this officer arrests someone when he/she is at the district, then the garage is needed for the prison van so this same officer has to transform into the garage staff to transport the arrested. There have also been instanced (which have been refused by our members) to perform as custody officer. How can the officer performing the arrest, at the same time be the custody officer.

The Union is not against officers covering a posting when there is the need, however these have to be on the same lines, not a district and a section.