The working conditions of the Malta Police Force : a generic perspective

Abstract

Past incidents concerning police officers in Malta, including the incident of a police constable who was dragged underneath a fastmoving car in 2018, raised acute awareness on the working conditions and wellbeing of the Malta Police Force. The Malta Police Force has long been the centre of public and political discussion. These issues were also emphasised through the media, which led to the assumption that employment conditions within the Malta Police Force require further attention. The purpose of this research study is to examine primary factors which may impact the police officers’ work performance, including stressors, work-life balance and employee development. Through the participants’ knowledge and expertise on the police force, further insight was gained in relation to the officers’ working conditions. The impact of poor working conditions can be detrimental to employees, especially police officers who might be subject to daily predicaments. A sectoral agreement regulating the service conditions of the police force was signed in 2018, in collaboration with trade unions for the benefit of both the Malta Police Force and individual officers. The use of a thematic map was adopted in order to highlight important themes which emerged from the collected data. This research study concluded that the Malta Police Force is moving towards better employment conditions. Nonetheless, the media may distort the image of the Malta Police Force negatively.