Pedro Moura Appointed New Head of National Police
The government appointed Chief Superintendent Pedro Moura as the national director of the Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP), marking the force's third leadership change in three years. Moura previously coordinated border and immigration control within the Internal Security System. He succeeds Luís Carrilho and will formally assume office on October 13 in a ceremony led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
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.
Pedro Moura is the national director of Portugal's Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP), appointed to succeed Luís Carrilho. Before heading the PSP, he served as the coordinator of the border and foreign nationals unit within the Internal Security System (Sistema de Segurança Interna). His appointment represents the third leadership change for the national police force in a three-year span.
