Mallia denies performance contracts undermine police independence

Updated Saturday  - Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia this morning denied that placing the most senior officers in the police force under temporary performance agreements undermined the Force, its independence, integrity and autonomy. He said the measure was only being taken to ensure that the performance of the most senior officers of the police force were continuously assessed and that they continued to give the best of their abilities. The measure was strongly criticised yesterday by the Malta Police Association, which said the move undermined police independence. It also said it was not consulted about it.   Acting Police Commissioner Ray Zammit said the move was aimed at maintaining standards and said the issue was still under discussion.  The Malta Police Force Association in a statement yesterday said the "Addendum to the document regulating the conditions of service for the police force" was signed behind its bacMallia denies performance contracts undermien police k without any consultation. The agreement was signed by chief permanent secretary Mario Cutajar and the permanent secretary in the Home Affairs Ministry Kevin Mahoney on Wednesday. The MPA said it objected...