Latest news and stories about law enforcement in Portugal for expats and residents.
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Nearly 9,000 incidents were recorded in the last season.

The events date back to 2016. The officer is still serving, despite being a suspect in two cases.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A better service must be provided. It is the responsibility of the PJ Directorate to bolster prevention staff.

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.

Authorities have arrested two individuals at Lisbon Airport for allegedly being involved in human trafficking and assisting illegal immigration activities.

Authorities involved in the operations also recorded 528 violations, of which 64% were road-related, including 20% related to alcohol.

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 ...

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.
Three of the defendants in the 'Safra Justa' operation remain in preventive detention.
