Policemen fear the new Ta’ Kandja shooting range will be of little benefit to them, amid concerns the facility will be mostly used as a sport venue despite forming part of the police academy.
Announced by the government in May last year at the height of the general election campaign, the €7 million facility must be completed by next June, when Malta hosts the ISSF World Cup. At the time, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had justified the choice of site, saying it would have the dual purpose of serving both the police and sportsmen.
While shooting enthusiasts who had long been lobbying for a state-of-the-art facility welcomed the news, there was lukewarm reception for the project within police circles.
Police sources who spoke with the Times of Malta on condition of anonymity, questioned the ultimate object of such project that will cover an area of more than 60,000 square metres.
“It seems the police academy at Ta’ Kandja has been sacrificed to accommodate the political pledge made last year of having a fully-fledged shooting range,” they lamented.
“A sport facility in the midst of a police academy might present serious problems as it does not make sense having the public roam...
