‘It will always be us and them’ – former SAG officer on new police unit

The birth of a new police unit was seen as a ray of hope for some and looked upon with disgust by others.

"Both units are soaked with the pride of being an elite squad, and now they expect us to douse our egos and be jolly together. I don't see that happening anytime soon, and for a long time it will always be us and them," a former Special Assignments Group officer has told MaltaToday.

The joy expressed by a number of officers from the Mobile Squad at the birth of the Rapid Intervention Unit was met with equal disdain by those formerly posted at SAG.

With a face shrouded in angst, Joseph Borg* spoke to MaltaToday about the recent reform within the Malta Police Force. As of Monday, 1 July the two units formerly known as SAG and Mobile Squad have merged. The Rapid Intervention Unit was set up with the aim of providing the quick response associated with the Mobile Unit, coupled with the special tactics usually attributed to the SAG.

Borg confessed that he feels as if the force dumped him. "All my studies and efforts were thrown out of the window. We used to carry out VIP protection operations at par with our foreign counterparts. With all respect due for the valuable work carried out by the Mobile Squad, this is a different kettle of fish," he said.

Another officer claimed the move was for the better: "Years ago SAG officials had suggested the merger. Both units are trained to go the extra mile. Both were bent on delivering, so merging them was the logical way to go. However the police force employed the usual haphazard way of doing things and ruined the project," Jack Casha* said.

Nevertheless both officers agreed the country stands to benefit from the merger. "If anyone kicked up a ruckus it would always be five units from the Mobile Squad and five officers from the SAG. It gave the impression of disconnected police officers being thrown into the fray. With the Rapid Intervention Unit, taking 10 vehicles off the patrol round to respond to a serious incident would still leave around 20 vehicles patrolling the streets. Moreover 10 units on a call will now result in anywhere between 20 and 30 officers in one spot. Instead of disconnected units, now perpetrators will face a knit squad."

Addressing the issue of shift changes, the former SAG officers claimed their biological clocks need resetting. "The last new officer arrived at SAG two years ago. The majority have been there for 10 years and over. Working day in, day out got ingrained in our lifestyle, and now we have to reboot our systems to work the new shift."

"Nothing much changed for those previously detailed at the Mobile Squad. The shift change is actually better than the one they previously followed," Casha held. "It's us, the SAG, who got the sharper end of the stick."

Clearly disgruntled, Borg explained how most of the 45 officers transferred from SAG to RIU are currently unmotivated. "We have been thrown away from officers we've worked side by side with. Our job entailed a different reality to that of the RIU, and we'll take time to adapt," he said. With a hint of irritation, he continued: "Those who say that we did not work should keep in mind the countless hours we worked at certain intervals. Embassy security and escorting VIPs and Heads of State was our bread and butter."

While both officers agreed the Mobile Squad officers are some of the best in the force, they also agreed the former SAG officers will need to relearn procedures they laid aside years ago. They explained how, though they were called upon as a last resort, time spent with high-profile people gave them a different outlook on life. "Now we need to take on a more streetwise outlook. Going out on a call knowing you are the first responder, your aim is to diffuse situations. It is rather different than arriving on the scene knowing you are the last resort."

The officers saw the former SAG base at Ta' Kandja as a second home. "Asylum seekers and officer cadets already trespassed into our home. Now we're forced to share it, and the close-knit brotherhood at Ta' Kandja is quickly eroding away."

However, both Borg and Casha believe that change is for the better. "The RIU is still a newborn and we foresee a lot of changes. Although the change is painful and 'unmotivating' for most, the future is still unknown, and things can only change for the better." They showed their concern that a lack of motivation will eventually lead officers to be transferred to other units or quit the force.

This morning also saw RIU Superintendent Sandro Zarb take office at Ta' Kandja. Zarb was for years detailed at the Immigration Branch, with his last office being at the International Relations Unit. Zarb's move from IRU to RIU happened much to the surprise of Superintendent Nezrin Grixti, who was one of the officers mentioned for the Ta' Kandja office.

Meanwhile, Josef Petroni, former manager of Security Operations at the Malta Security Services has been transferred to replace Sandro Zarb as superintendent at the International Relations Unit.

*The names of the former SAG officers have been changed to protect their identity.