PN: Violence Is On The Rise But Malta’s Police Force Overstrained And Under-Resourced
Malta finds itself sinking further into a quagmire of violence, with the police force grappling with an overwhelming workload and notably modest compensation, according to statements from the Nationalist Party on Saturday.
Joe Giglio, MP and the PN spokesperson for Home Affairs, expressed concern that the government was overlooking several propositions put forth by the party regarding police officers. He pointed out that negotiations for a new collective agreement for the police corps were still pending.
“With no discipline, everyone begins to feel like they can do what they want, and that leads to safety for everyone being reduced,” Gilgio said.
“The PN expects the government to take this sector seriously.”
One of the proposals presented by the Nationalist Party involves ensuring that police officers receive a full pension even if they choose to continue their service after 25 years.
Giglio emphasized that the government should be more receptive to constructive critique regarding enforcement shortcomings and take tangible steps to address these issues. He underscored the potential consequences of a lack of discipline, highlighting that when a sense of impunity prevails, overall safety diminishes. He argued that incidents of violence are on the rise.
Stressing the gravity of the situation, Giglio conveyed the Nationalist Party’s expectation that the government treats this matter with the seriousness it deserves.
Recent data published earlier this year revealed that while Malta’s general crime rate is declining, incidents of violent crime have doubled over the past 15 years, surging from three to six crimes per 1,000 individuals between 2004 and 2022.
A significant portion of this surge can be attributed to a notable increase in cases of domestic violence. Instances of bodily harm have seen a marginal decrease over time, while the murder rate has remained relatively stable.
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