Academic training given to police officers will now be internationally recognised and accredited, following an agreement signed with the University of Malta.
The deal reached on Thursday with the Malta Police Force and the Academy for Disciplined Forces maps out academic training given to all members of the police, from that for constables (MQF level 4) to superintendent (MQF level 7).
It will also ensure members of the force can access the university library and virtual learning equipment and allow them the opportunity to participate in educational activities that are organised locally or abroad.
Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said the deal will lay the groundwork for changes that are to be implemented over the next few years, as stipulated in the force’s transformation strategy.
Members of the forces of law and order have started to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the government said.
It said in a statement that the Armed Forces of Malta’s medical team are administering the jab from the army s general headquarters in Luqa. Another centre is to be added in the coming days at the Academy for Disciplinary Forces in Ta’ Kandja.
Thousands of workers will be vaccinated during this phase, including the police, soldiers, officers at the Corradino Correctional Facilities, firefighters, community officers and immigration officials.
The first shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccine, produced by a British-Swedish company arrived in Malta on Sunday night. AstraZeneca is the third vaccine to arrive in Malta, following ones made by Pfizer and Moderna.
A notice signed by the director of the correctional services agency that says the role of prison is to teach fear has been revealed.
The 2018 document, which authorities say is no longer hanging on the walls of the Paola prison, gives insight into the philosophy of its director general, Colonel Alexander Dalli. If violence and crime are to be curbed, we are the only people who can do it, the notice bearing Dalli s name states. The inmate does not fear the police, the judge or the jury. Therefore it is our job to teach fear. Welcome to prison!
The notice, which prison authorities say has since been removed. Photo: Peppi Azzopardi/Facebook
A group of migrants who arrived in Malta illegally by boat in 2019 and last year have been returned to their country of origin, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Tuesday.
It did not say how many people were involved but said the return operation was coordinated by the Malta Police Immigration Section.
Following months of intensive work, a number of migrants without an authorisation to stay have been returned home. #Malta is committed to prevent irregular arrivals, share the responsibility with other #EU countries and return migrants who are not truly in need of protection. -RA pic.twitter.com/8gsHnzhfyB