GNR raises community awareness about violence at sports venues
Nearly 9,000 incidents were recorded in the last season.
GNR captain orders sale of seized gold
The events date back to 2016. The officer is still serving, despite being a suspect in two cases.
PSP officers accused of torture: minister follows developments and calls it a 'serious' crime
Maria Lúcia Amaral says these behaviours 'do not represent the majority of PSP personnel', who carry out their duties with dedication, a sense of mission and respect for the law.
Beja court convicts nine people for immigrant trafficking in the Alentejo
On 25 November the Judicial Police detained 17 people, including 10 GNR officers and one PSP officer, on suspicion of exploiting immigrants in the Alentejo.
Evidence-sharing expands suspected police involvement
Reports say two Polícia de Segurança Pública officers, aged 23 and 26, have been accused by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of dozens of crimes including torture and sexual violence allegedly committed in police stations; several others are named as co‑perpetrators. The PSP says it regrets the events and has carried out an internal investigation as the criminal case proceeds. The allegations have raised questions about police conduct and oversight; anyone with concerns about detention or police practice should follow official case developments and rights‑advice channels.
Update: The Public Prosecutor’s Office now says its inquiry suspects more than ten officers were involved in violent assaults at two Lisbon police stations and that the circulation of torture images implicates upwards of 70 officers; two people have been formally named as suspects in connection with the images and assaults.
The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's national civilian police force, founded in 1867. Responsible for defending Republican democracy and safeguarding internal security and citizens' rights, the PSP polices major cities—Lisbon, Porto, Faro—and large urban areas, covering only 4% of Portugal's territory but roughly half the population. Led by a National Director under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its approximately 21,500 officers handle preventive policing, crime investigation, public order, airport security, diplomatic protection, private security regulation, firearms licensing, and border control (since 2023).
PSP vs. GNR: The PSP is civilian with police-focused training and urban jurisdiction, while the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is military (gendarmerie) with military training, covering 96% of Portugal's rural and suburban territory. Both share core public safety missions but differ fundamentally in nature, training, and geographic responsibility.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministério Público) is Portugal’s state prosecution service responsible for investigating crimes, bringing criminal charges and representing the state in court; it is institutionally independent from the police and is led by the Procurador‑Geral da República (Attorney General). In the story it is the body accusing two officers, so residents and those interacting with law enforcement should know that criminal allegations are pursued and prosecuted by this office.
PSP seizes more than 27,000 individual doses of drugs
A 32-year-old man was presented to court after a search related to a weapons threat. The PSP seized 13,000 doses of cocaine, 14,000 doses of hashish, a shotgun and equipment for drug production.
The Other Shore
A better service must be provided. It is the responsibility of the PJ Directorate to bolster prevention staff.
11pm: PJ detained young German suspected of triple homicide
The arrest was carried out under a European arrest warrant. The young man is believed to have travelled to Lisbon after the crime that killed the father, the woman and the stepdaughter. Also, political parties react to the Prime Minister's Christmas message.
Two arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and aiding illegal immigration at Lisbon Airport
Authorities have arrested two individuals at Lisbon Airport for allegedly being involved in human trafficking and assisting illegal immigration activities.
Operation "Portugal Always Safe" checks 2,228 foreigners in three days and catches 30 illegal immigrants
Authorities involved in the operations also recorded 528 violations, of which 64% were road-related, including 20% related to alcohol.
Operation "Portugal Always Safe" checks 2,228 foreigners in three days and catches 30 illegal immigrants
The “Portugal Always Safe” operation inspected 2,228 foreigners over three days, of which 30 were found to be in an illegal situation in the country, according to provisional data released on Tuesday by the Internal Security System (SSI). In a statement, the SSI added that between November 26 and 29, the operation, which involves various police and entities ...
GNR soldiers detained for immigrant exploitation in Alentejo return to duty
The 10 GNR soldiers detained on suspicion of exploiting immigrants in Alentejo, who were later released under a term of identity and residence (TIR), have returned to duty today, according to a source from the Guard.
GNR and PSP soldiers suspected of exploiting immigrants in Alentejo released on bail
Three of the defendants in the 'Safra Justa' operation remain in preventive detention.
