COMMUNITY
‘Well-being and safety depends on all of us’ Vaughan Willmore speaks to one of the Algarve’s most senior police officers. We’re so often told that Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world, with low levels of crime a key factor in why so many of us make Portugal our home. But what are the challenges of policing the Algarve and how can the British community help address them? I raised these issues and more when I interviewed Captain Valente, one of the most senior officers in the Algarve. PLEASE TELL OUR READERS A LITTLE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR ROLE My name is Capitão Gilberto Fernandes Fraústo Valente and I started working for the GNR nearly 10 years ago. The GNR is organised into 20 Territorial Commands and reporting into each command are Detachments. I started working initially as Deputy Commander of Detachment and now I am the Commander of Detachment, reporting into the territorial command in Faro. I have 125 personnel working with me. WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU AS CAPTAIN? As a rule, my working day is dynamic and comprehensive, with emphasis on the responsibility that I assume in controlling all operational activity, which includes patrolling and policing, and all administrative activity, including management of the Detachment itself. One of the most important tasks is to monitor all occurrences, with special importance for those of greater complexity, checking the patrol procedures are correct. In addition, if it is necessary to make more complex decisions, it is up to me. It is essential to be aware of the criminal occurrences that are happening and to assess whether it is necessary to explore any particular subject, in view of the type of crime, type of victims, and area where it is occurring, in order to trigger a deeper and more comprehensive analysis, so that measures can be taken.
population. It is knowing that we are able to help or solve the problem that the citizen presents to us because for any GNR military, as for me, this is how we feel about our “mission accomplished” duty. Personally, I also recognise that all the work developed that is directed to the most deprived population assumes different relevance. It is very important and rewarding to help those in need. DO YOU HAVE ANY MESSAGES FOR THE BRITISH COMMUNITY? Yes, I present two messages to the British community. The first message is about the disclosure of information about criminal situations. It is never more important to remind and alert all citizens, whenever they are the target of a criminal offence they must communicate to the authorities. This is regardless of the damage and whether there are suspects. It helps the GNR to know and record the occurrences for better planning of patrolling, with a view to preventing new occurrences and identifying individuals responsible for the illegal acts. As a second message, it is important to appeal to the personal responsibilities of the entire population, including the British community, whether resident or holidaying in the Algarve, so that they can take full advantage and enjoy everything the Algarve provides, but always with a responsible and conscious attitude. Well-being and safety depends on all of us. My sense from speaking to people in preparing this article is of an immense feeling of goodwill towards the GNR, and an appreciation of the work they do.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHALLENGES POLICING THE ALGARVE? For the GNR the main policing challenges in the Algarve are the variation of the population throughout the year, especially during the holiday season as the population increases exponentially.
Perhaps it will help if we can all note Captain Valente’s words and so play our part in helping to maintain Portugal as one of the safest countries in the world and the place so many of us are pleased to call home.
There is also another one of particular concern, namely the dispersion of the resident population, with an enormous number of families who move away from population centres, seeking to settle in more isolated and rural areas. It is complex to patrol and get to know the areas in detail. This is one of the reasons for the “Safe Residence” program, which aims to obtain a register of these houses and the best means to access, also helping to build the relationship between the GNR and citizens.
After all, as the Captain quite rightly said, well-being and safety depends on all of us. +INFO: GuardaNacionalRepublicana www.gnr.pt
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING FOR THE GNR? The most rewarding aspect is, without a doubt, feeling useful to the
Safe Residence Programme www.safecommunitiesalgarve.com
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Telephone Translation Service
808 257 257 For anyone concerned that language barriers may hinder their dialogue with the police there is the option of using the free Telephone Translation Service offered by the High Commission for Migration services – www.acm.gov.pt
