PN’s Promises: A Police Station Revival and Salary Boost for Malta’s Enforcers

Imagine walking down Triq San Girgor in Żebbuġ, the sun casting a warm glow on the empty lot where the police station once stood. For years, this space has been a silent witness to the community’s longing for a reinstated presence of law enforcement. Now, the Nationalist Party (PN) has pledged to turn this page in Malta’s policing history, with plans to reopen the station and improve salaries for disciplined forces.

The Return of Żebbuġ’s Police Station

The Żebbuġ police station, closed in 2012, is one of several stations earmarked for reopening by the PN. The party’s manifesto promises a total of 15 new or reopened stations across Malta and Gozo, aiming to bolster community policing and reduce response times. For Żebbuġ residents, this means a return to the comfort of having law enforcement nearby, a sentiment echoed by local councilor, Joseph Muscat, who told Hot Malta, “We’ve missed having a police station here. It’s about time we got it back.”

Boosting Morale and Pocketbooks

The PN’s plans extend beyond bricks and mortar. The party has also pledged to increase salaries for Malta’s disciplined forces, including the police, armed forces, and correctional services. This move, according to PN spokesperson Jason Azzopardi, is aimed at boosting morale and attracting more recruits. “Our forces deserve to be properly compensated for the crucial role they play in keeping Malta safe,” he said.

Currently, starting salaries for police constables stand at around €19,000 per annum. While the PN hasn’t specified the exact increase, Azzopardi hinted at a significant hike, stating, “We want to ensure our forces are among the best paid in the EU.”

Challenges and Next Steps

Reopening stations and increasing salaries won’t be easy. Infrastructure needs to be assessed and potentially upgraded, and budget allocations will need to be increased. But the PN is confident that these challenges can be overcome. “It’s a matter of priorities,” Azzopardi said. “If we’re serious about public safety, we need to invest in our forces.”

If elected, the PN plans to start the reopening process immediately, with Żebbuġ among the first stations on the list. Salary increases, they say, will follow soon after, with a detailed plan to be outlined in the first 100 days of their administration.

As the sun sets on Triq San Girgor, casting long shadows over the empty lot, the promise of a new dawn for Żebbuġ’s policing seems within reach. The PN’s pledges, if delivered, could signal a new era for Malta’s disciplined forces and the communities they serve.