Sandro Camilleri Promises To Be ‘The People’s Commissioner’ As He Enters Race To Be Malta’s Next Police Chief
Sandro Camilleri, the former police union chief and outspoken police inspector, has applied to become Malta’s next police commissioner.
The application comes hours before formal nominations close today at 7pm.
The position for the head of Malta’s police corps opened up following the resignation of former commissioner Lawrence Cutajar in January after major political turmoil on the island. For the first time in Malta’s history, the top job in the police force will be filled following a public call.
Applicants will apply to the Public Service Commission, which will then shortlist two candidates to the Prime Minister, who will select his preferred candidate. The commissioner-select will then have to undergo a grilling at a parliamentary committee before they are approved.
A number of different ranking police officers and lawyers have applied and are believed to be applying by this evening. Other applicants so far include Herman Mula and Mary Muscat.
Speaking to Lovin Malta, Camilleri said he entered the race with “conviction and enormous support from Maltese citizens”.
“People I don’t even know have contacted me telling me they are behind me, and as the people speak, I cannot close the door in their face and not apply. I am ready to be a commissioner for the people and make a difference,” Camilleri said strongly.
He said his vision for the corps was “not to reinvent the wheel but to look at what procedures successful foreign police corps are using and to bring them to Malta”. He also wanted to bring pride in being a policeman back followings years of international and local scandals.
He also pledged to allow public scrutiny into his bank savings, his assets and even his home mortgage – “I have nothing to hide, my entire life is the corps”.
Camilleri, who has been in the corps for over 25 years and is eligible for retirement, said he wants to continue serving in the hopes of improving it the circumstances for Maltese police officers, as well as their relations with the public.
Once applications close this evening, the Public Service Commission will shortlist two candidates. Cabinet will then select one from these two, and that person will have to face a grilling in front of a parliamentary committee before a vote is taken in the house on whether they should be accepted as police commissioner.