PSP Chief Superintendent Bastos Leitão comments on the Government's decision to reactivate the GNR Traffic Brigade, which was disbanded in 2009.
With the Traffic Brigade, we had almost double the number of road deaths that we have today
Wednesday, 15 April 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
The GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is Portugal's national gendarmerie—a military police force founded in 1911, with origins dating to 1801. With over 22,600 personnel, GNR patrols 94-96% of Portuguese territory, covering rural areas, medium towns, and highways. Members are military personnel subject to military law, responsible for public order, customs, coastal control, environmental protection (SEPNA), firefighting/rescue (GIPS), border control, and ceremonial guards. GNR vs. PSP: The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's civilian police force, covering major cities (Lisbon, Porto, Faro) and large urban areas—only 4% of territory but roughly half the population. PSP handles airport security, diplomatic protection, and private security regulation. Both share core missions (public order, crime prevention), but differ in nature: GNR is military with military training; PSP is civilian with police-focused training.
AI Summary AvailableGovernment to reactivate GNR Traffic BrigadeRead the synthesized summary with context and explainers
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Other news coverage of this topic
- GNR traffic unit has lost 43% of its officers since the brigade was disbanded • Público
- President of the Sergeants' Association speaks on the reactivation of the GNR Traffic Brigade 20 years after its extinction • Correio da Manhã
- GNR has already disclosed the guidelines of the new traffic model to the guards • RTP Notícias
- Road Safety Association welcomes the reactivation of the Traffic Brigade • Observador
- GNR officers' association says the reactivation of the Traffic Brigade "has advantages and disadvantages" • Correio da Manhã
- A crackdown on traffic fines is coming to the roads • Público
