Justice Minister gives Ray Zammit ‘a warning’

Former acting police commissioner Ray Zammit has been “warned” by the Justice Minister not “to repeat such conduct”, following the findings of an inquiry by Judge Michael Mallia.

The reply by the Ministry for Justice also suggests that Zammit will stay on as head of the recently-setup local enforcement agency. “We now look forward to keep delivering the promised change in local enforcement,” a spokesperson for Minister Owen Bonnici told MaltaToday.

Zammit is also acting director at the Corradino Correctional Facility.

The conclusions from an inquiry by Judge Michael Mallia into allegations on the Zammits – former acting police commissioner Ray Zammit, his sons Daniel, a former police inspector, and Roderick, an inspector in the police force – were published on Thursday after being commissioned by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Mallia found that Zammit’s action was “censurable” but that his actions were not “entirely serious”.

“As for Ray Zammit, he cannot be subjected to any disciplinary steps but had he still been part of the police force he would been subjected to a warning,” the Judge said.

Contrary to his two sons, Ray Zammit was said to have not given any contribution to the Gaffarena business company, and thus his behaviour was not viewed as serious enough.

“Mr Justice Michael Mallia concluded that Ray Zammit's conduct was censurable but not serious. He added that, had Mr Zammit still formed part of the Police, he would have suggested the imposition of a warning,” Bonnici’s spokesperson said.

“Despite the fact that Zammit no longer forms part of the Police, the Minister, after taking cognizance of the inquiry and its conclusions regarding suggested disciplinary proceedings, warned Zammit not to repeat such conduct. We now look forward to keep delivering the promised change in local enforcement.”

Mallia said that, had he been part of the police force, he would have recommended Zammit undergoes summary discipline as described by Public Service Management Code. The article states that, “when in the opinion of a Head of Department the penalty appropriate to minor misconduct or breach of discipline or of unsatisfactory work by an officer in his department is no more than a warning, he may communicate to such officer in writing his intention to administer a warning, stating the grounds therefor and giving the officer an opportunity to reply […]”.