Q&A Who polices what (and where) in Portugal?

There are so many different police forces in Portugal. Who polices what and where? Portugal has five different policing agencies—each with different areas of jurisdiction—although, sometimes, their responsibilities overlap: • The Public Security Police (PSP) or Policía de Segurança Pública and the National Republican Guard (GNR) or Guarda Nacional Repúblicana deal with assaults, personal safety, incidents on public roads, traffic control in chaotic situations. Crime prevention on public roads is also under their purview, as are SEF’s former border controls. While the PSP is active in urban areas, the GNR is found in rural regions. • Criminal investigations in Portugal are conducted by the Judiciary Police (PJ) or Policía Judiciária, which is charged with crimes resulting in death, slavery, kidnapping and hostage-taking, criminal networks, influence peddling and corruption, terrorist organizations, and investigating malfeasance by political office holders. • Within municipalities are the Municipal Police (Policía Municipal), often simply referred to as the “police,” responsible for compliance with vehicle parking and traffic regulations in their respective municipalities. In certain circumstances, they arrest and surrender suspects of crimes punishable by imprisonment. Municipal Police also can support the PSP and GNR in issues of defense and environmental protection. •The Maritime Police (Polícia Marítima) ensures compliance in ports, beaches, bathing spaces, inland waters, and other maritime areas. Got a question you’d like answered? Send it to: info@portugallivingmagazine.com