With reference to Raphael Vassallo’s article, “And now, the Morality Police ….” which appeared on the issue of MaltaToday of 8 March 2009, please note that contrary to what Mr Vassallo wrote in his piece, Police action during the Nadur Carnival had already commenced on the night between 21 and 22 February, 2009. The Police certainly did not wait until the public statement issued by the Bishops of Malta and Gozo to initiate any action which by law they were bound to take once they had detected the costume infringements.
As a matter of fact, offenders who were noticed by the Police at the material time were approached and had their particulars taken on the spot. Criminal charges were also drawn up and issued on the same date. Moreover, police officers on duty also ordered offenders to remove any costume which went contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Code. One should also note that since the prevalent offence in this case is classified as a contravention (and not a crime), the law itself provides that no arrest is to be made, if the alleged offender complies with police orders and submits his full and true particulars to the police.
Moreover, further investigations on this matter continued during the following days where more persons, who were not noticed by police officers contravening the law during the event proper, were also interviewed and arraigned in court.
Mr Vassallo may put his mind at rest that the Malta Police Force is not the “unofficial, temporal arm” of any religious institution but it only acts in the legal and constitutional framework in which society requires it to enforce the laws enacted by its elected representatives.
Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below. Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.
Search:
MALTATODAY
BUSINESSTODAY
All the interviews from Reporter on MaltaToday's YouTube channel.
