In the US the new trend is for police officers to stop citizens from filming them, especially if they’re being abusive, such as beating the crap out of a modern Rodney King, which these days is happily allowed.

But that’s all in the future for the Bebbuxerija Maltija. We currently simply discuss 20th century questions with the panache of knowledgable futurists.

He was just chosen to placate Labour. In fact few complaints come the Labour side.

I know better times for the force when policemen were forbidden even to enter a coffee shop let alone being drunk and mixing with disreputable elements in Paceville.

Dr Saliba, that policeman must have been nasty and lacking compassion and understanding. How could the police command respect if they behave in this manner?

I forgot to mention that I still have the receipt this police woman gave me, with her signature and date. I had to pay a small fee for the privilege of taking an oath.

This woman should not be allowed to handle religious objects, she handed me the cross to kiss.

But in Malta they are allowed to smoke, drink, work as bouncers, chat with lap dancers and are also allowed to have their own business, which is totally wrong.

I did lodge a complaint with the Commissioner of Police, in writing when a motor cycle traffic policeman handed me a parking parking ticket for letting down an embarking tourist at the airport, myself remaining strapped in the driver’s seat, waiting for the return of my wife.

I left the spot promptly as soon as ordered leaving my wife stranded only to be followed by the motorcycle policeman until I reached a quiet spot a few hundred metres further on, waved to a stop and mocked that ” I did not please him”. After a fruitless inspection of the car for some possible infringement I was handed a parking ticket for letting down a passenger at a recognised drop/pick up point and from which I had departed as soon as told to move on!

My official complaint led to a series of unkept “urgent” appointments with a police inspector and a belated inexplicable rejection of my report. Never again will I report an abuse as long as complaints of abuses against the police continue to be dealt with departmentally by fellow police officers.

For those not “in the know”, the way to “please” some savvy traffic policemen is to have a disposable currency note in the driving licence when the licence is demanded by them, and not to expect that it will be still there when the driving licence is returned.

What a difference from the days of de Gray as Commissioner of Police!

[Daphne – Yes.]

You’re right in saying that members of the police force should behave impeccably while on duty.

Whipping up a “campaign” – which someone with your clout can do at the drop of a hat – is not quite right, though.

To begin with, the vast majority of people reading your blog can’t do much about correcting “wrongs”. They will just start collecting misdemeanours and exchanging anecdotes – some of which will be made up, as always happens.

This will transform the way certain people look at the police force. At present it’s something that can and should be improved. If your idea takes off, some people may begin thinking that the force is just another govt department composed entirely of layabouts and Pharisees and hey will begin to look upon it with (misplaced) disdain.

In case you were wondering, I’m not a member of the force nor am I related or know anybody who is.

[Daphne – I can’t agree with you, Reuben. The only check on police abuse is public scrutiny, and that only where public opinion matters. Where it doesn’t matter, as in Malta in the 1970s and 1980s, not even public scrutiny will help.]

I meant a smoking hot prostitute in a fetish scenario, which would not necessarily be entrapment.