Number of Police officers increases in Porto

After a lengthy political process, the legislation governing Municipal Police has been published and both Porto City Hall and Lisbon City Hall will be able to operate more effectively in the field of security. 

This enacted legislation allows adopting a much more constructive position on police reform, including approval of the police's new areas of responsibility.

Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira announced today at the Municipal meeting that the number of Municipal Police agents in the city would be increased from 119 to 213.

Commander of the Municipal Police of Porto, also present at the meeting, highlighted the importance of "strategic alignment between Lisbon and Porto and also the political will" to address this.

The Police Commander also explained that "co-operation in the fields of police is being intensified", which will increase citizens' security and their sense of security.

Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto, stressed this was an age-old issue and congratulated the previous Municipal Government that together with Lisbon have rightly established the rules in terms of the Municipal Police role.

 The Mayor also said that "the matter is very important" and that this "strengthening of skills and capacity" illustrates the city's effort to increase safety.

The Municipal Police was created in Portugal in 1997, it is an administrative police operating under the direction of the Mayor. They are generally preventive police and they are crucial to managing the city as it is now the responsibility of Municipal Police to supervise the streets, public space and local urban transport.