As Wardens Refuse To Issue Tickets, Malta’s Police Ordered To Not Pick Up Slack By Unions
Two police unions, the Police Officers Union (POU) and Malta Police Union (MPU) issued directives asking their members to stop intervening in accidents that do not have on-site injuries.
They have also called for police to cease filing reports on roadside collisions. Both duties were normally carried out by LESA officials.
“The police shouldn’t be made to shoulder the extra burden simply because another agency is in the midst of a strike,” the POU wrote.
“We urge our members to abide by these directives, and if somebody tries to intimidate said members into ignoring the directives, they should contact us right away.”
“As always, we will stand by our members.”
Meanwhile, a separate statement issued by the POU read that “the Union is directing its members not to perform any duty which was not being performed by the police and which was being done by LESA Officers, prior to the commencement of industrial action.”
“These directives to our members include not taking of reports related to road traffic accidents where no injuries are reported, even when the involved individuals call personally at the police station.”
“The industrial actions at LESA are not the fault of police officers and these cannot carry the burden of another entity or act as strike breakers.”
Speaking with Lovin Malta, a spokesperson of the POU said that the directives were issued due to problems with manpower. But additionally, filling the gap created by a ‘separate agency’ was not constituted by law.
The directives have hurled Malta into a grey area, as far as simple roadside contraventions like bumper-to-bumpers go.
What do you make of the statements?