Michael Cassar officially appointed Police Commissioner

New Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela presented appointment letters to Michael Cassar as the new Police Commissioner and to Joseph Bugeja as the new Acting Head of the Security Services.

“I expect you to be loyal to the Maltese and Gozitan people,” Abela said. “Both the police force and the security services should be examples of independence, professionalism and seriousness. The government will be there to assist when necessary to ensure that these two structures operate efficiently.

“There are undoubtedly many members of the police force who invest all their energy into providing a high level of service to the people and I want their work to be recognized. However, I expect every member of the police corp to understand the loyalty they have to the country.”

Cassar said that he is fully committed to improving the faith that the people have in the police corp, while Bugeja said that he will do all he can to ensure that the security services keep progressing and fulfilling its important role for the good of the people.

Abela was appointed Home Affairs Minister earlier this week following the sacking of Manuel Mallia in light of a shooting incident involving his driver. Cassar replaces Ray Zammit as Police Commissioner after the latter was found guilty of “gross negligence” by an inquiry board that was set up to investigate the same incident. Bugeja takes on Cassar’s former role within the security services.