Polizia di Stato

The Polizia di Stato (State Police or P.S.) is one of the national police forces of Italy. It mainly works in cities and large towns. With its child agencies, it also takes care of highway patrol (autostrade), railways (ferrovie), airports (aeroporti), customs (together with the Guardia di Finanza), as well as certain waterways, and helps local police forces.

It was a military force until 1981 when a new law was passed. After that, the State Police became a civil force. This is different from the other main police forces in Italy: the Arma dei Carabinieri, which is a military police (gendarmerie) force, and the Guardia di Finanza, which is also part of the military.

The Polizia di Stato is the main Italian police force for keeping public security. It is run directly by the Department of Public Security. Its job includes investigating and enforcing the law, and making sure that motorway, railway, and waterway networks are safe. Interpol says these are its main responsibilities.

History

The modern Polizia di Stato, or State Police, was created in 1981 when many civil police services in Italy were merged together. But its history goes back to 1852, when it began as the police force for the Kingdom of Sardinia.

In 1852, King Victor Emmanuel II started a city police service in Turin and Genoa to protect citizens. This date is celebrated as the official anniversary of the State Police. Later, in 1859, this police force became the national civil police. By 1861, a central office was set up to oversee civilian law enforcement across the nation.

Mission

Europol says the Polizia di Stato helps protect the country. They keep people safe and make sure everyone follows the rules. They also help during accidents and disasters, solve problems between people, and train other police officers. Their special teams work on traffic, railways, communications, moving groups of people, and scientific investigations.

Strength

The State Police of Italy can have up to 115,000 people, but today it has around 110,000, including about 16,000 women. About 6,000 of these are civilian staff who help with logistics and technical tasks.

In 2005, the State Police had 105,324 members with different roles such as leaders, inspectors, sergeants, and constables. Around 1,500 officers work in the "neighbourhood police" service, walking the streets in pairs in major cities to help keep areas safe.

Organization

The Polizia di Stato, or State Police, is an important police force in Italy. Its main office is in Rome. The leader is called the Capo della Polizia, or Chief of the Police.

The police are divided into regions and provinces across Italy. Each area has its own local office called a Questura, led by a Questore.

The State Police has special teams for many jobs. They help keep roads and trains safe, protect airports, and work on important cases. They also have teams for emergencies, checking safety in factories, and making sure rules are followed. Every big city has a local office called a Commissariato di Pubblica Sicurezza to help keep the area safe and handle important papers like passports.

Special operations

About 24,000 officers, almost a quarter of all police workers, are in special groups like the Highway Patrol, Railroad Police, Postal and Telecommunications Police, and Border and Immigration Police.

The Highway Patrol watches roads across the country, including motorways, main highways, and roads outside towns. They help keep traffic safe, report accidents, and make sure drivers follow the rules.

The Railroad Police keep trains and stations safe, especially for travelers and their belongings. They work with train companies to make sure everyone is safe.

The Postal and Telecommunications Police look into crimes that happen online, like hacking and fraud.

The Immigration and Border Police help control who enters Italy. They work at airports, land borders, and sea ports to check passports and make sure rules are followed.

There are also mobile units in big cities that can help keep order during big events or after natural disasters. These units have special equipment and training for these tasks.

The Anti-Terrorism Police works to stop and prevent harmful activities that could danger public safety. They gather information and coordinate investigations to keep people safe.

Training

To join the Italian State Police, people must pass a test to show their skills and knowledge. Sometimes, places are saved for those who have lost family members while serving the police.

Since 2005, only people who had served in the Italian Armed Forces could apply to become police trainees. But starting in 2016, civilians could also apply if they met certain rules, like age limits and having a clean record. Even now, some places are still saved for people who have served in the Armed Forces.

There are many rules that control how people can join the police, set by different government decisions. After passing the test, new police officers go to special schools for training, and the time they spend there depends on the job they will do.

Weapons

The Polizia di Stato may carry weapons to keep people safe. These help officers protect themselves and others during emergencies. The types of weapons they use are regulated and follow strict rules to ensure safety.

Vehicles

The State Police use Italian vehicles like Fiat Puntos, Alfa Romeo 159, and Alfa Romeo 155. They also use foreign makes such as Subaru Legacy, Subaru Forester, BMW E46, E91, and Volvo XC70. In May 2004, they received two special Lamborghini Gallardos with powerful engines. These cars have special equipment for important tasks.

Rank structure and insignia

Directors of Police

The directors of police are important civil servants. They are not police officers and do not wear uniforms. The Chief of Police is the head of the Polizia di Stato. They lead the Department of Public Security in the Ministry of Interior and help coordinate all Italian police forces. There are also deputy chiefs and other senior directors who help with planning and coordination.

Executive Officers

Director Officers

Inspectors

Superintendent

Agent and Assistant

Rank	Technical Rank	Medical Rank	Insignia	Cap band
Dirigente Generale (General Director)	Dirigente Generale Tecnico	Dirigente Generale Medico
Dirigente Superiore (Superior Director)	Dirigente Superiore Tecnico	Dirigente Superiore Medico

Rank	Technical Rank	Medical Rank	Insignia	Cap band	Promotion notes
Primo dirigente (First Director)	Primo dirigente tecnico	Primo dirigente medico			Promotion to Primo dirigente through selection after 5 years as Vice Questore.
Vice Questore (Deputy Chief)	Direttore tecnico superiore	Medico superiore			Promotion to Vice Questore through selection after 5 years as Vice Questore aggiunto.
Vice Questore Aggiunto (Assistant Deputy Chief)	Direttore tecnico capo	Medico capo			After 6 years service as Commissario capo: 80% of the promotions go to direct entry officers after scrutiny. 20% of the promotions go to internal entry officers with a master's degree after a promotional exam.
Commissario Capo (Chief Commissioner)	Commissario capo tecnico	Medico principale			Direct after graduation from the police academy for those who entered through direct entry. For others, after 5 years service as Commissario.
Commissario (Commissioner)	Commissario tecnico	Medico			After two years service as Vice commissario for internal entry officers.
Vice Commissario (Deputy Commissioner)	Vice Commissario tecnico				Direct entry: 80% from candidates with a Master's Degree and not over 30 years old. 20% are reserved for serving policemen with a Master's Degree, and not over 40 years of age; half of them from the Ispettori, half from the other ranks. They are holding the rank of Vice commissario at the academy. Internal entry: 80% from Ispettori with a bachelor's degree, 5 years of service, not over 35 years of age. 20% from Sostituto Commissari not over 55 years old. They are promoted to the rank of Vice commissario after graduation from the academy.

Rank	Technical rank	Insignia	Cap band	Promotion notes
Sostituto Commissario Coordinatore (Station Inspector Coordinator)	Sostituto Commissario Coordinatore tecnico			Promotion to Ispettore Superiore Sostituto Commissario Coordinatore after 4 years of service as Ispettore Superiore Sostituto Commissario.
Sostituto Commissario (Station Inspector)	Sostituto Commissario tecnico			Promotion to Ispettore Superiore Sostituto Commissario based on scrutiny and at least 8 years of service as Ispettore Superiore.
Ispettore Superiore (Senior Inspector)	Ispettore Superiore tecnico			Promotion to Ispettore Superiore based on scrutiny and at least 9 years of service as Ispettore Capo, as well as the possession of a Bachelor's degree.
Ispettore Capo (Chief Inspector)	Ispettore Capo tecnico			Promotion to Ispettore Capo after scrutiny.
Ispettore (Inspector)	Ispettore tecnico			Promotion to Ispettore after 5 years of service as Vice ispettore
Vice Ispettore (Sub-inspector)	Vice Ispettore tecnico			50% are recruited through direct entry from civilian life; 50% are recruited from lower ranks with at least 5 years of service. For both recruitments, a secondary school diploma qualifying for university studies is required.

Rank	Technical rank	Insignia	Cap band	Promotion notes
Sovrintendente Capo Coordinatore (Chief Sergeant Coordinator)	Sovrintendente Capo Coordinatore tecnico			Promotion to Sovrintendente capo coordinatore after 8 years of service as Sovrintendente capo
Sovrintendente Capo (Chief Sergeant)	Sovrintendente Capo tecnico			Promotion to Sovrintendente capo based on scrutiny and at least 5 years of service as Sovrintendente
Sovrintendente (Sergeant)	Sovrintendente tecnico			Promotion to Sovrintendente after 5 years of service as an Vice sovrintendente
Vice Sovrintendente (Lance Sergeant)	Vice Sovrintendente tecnico			70% are recruited through selection from Assistente Capo; 30% from Agenti and Assistenti with at least 4 years of service through an examination.

Rank	Technical rank	Insignia	Cap band	Promotion notes
Assistente Capo Coordinatore (Chief Assistant Coordinator)	Assistente Capo Coordinatore tecnico			Promotion to Assistente capo coordinatore after 8 years of service as an Assistente capo
Assistente Capo (Chief Assistant)	Assistente Capo tecnico			Promotion to Assistente capo based on scrutiny and at least 4 years of service as an Assistente
Assistente (Assistant)	Assistente tecnico			Promotion to Assistente based on scrutiny and at least 5 years of service as an Agente scelto
Agente Scelto (Senior Constable)	Agente Scelto tecnico			Promotion to Agente scelto based on scrutiny and at least 5 years of service as an Agente
Agente (Constable)	Agente tecnico			Civilians and volunteers of the Italian Armed Forces are eligible to take part in the exam to become an Agente

Decorations awarded to the State Police

The State Police has received many awards for their brave and important work. Some of these awards include:

• 1 Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Italy
• 17 Gold Medals of Civil Valour
• 14 Gold Medals of Civil Merit
• 3 Silver Medals of Civil Merit
• 1 Bronze Medal of Civil Merit
• 2 Bronze Medals of Militar Valour
• 1 Gold Medal of Public Health Merit
• 1 Bronze Medal of Civil Defense Excellence 1st Class
• 2 separate Medals of Merited Service in Earthquake Relief (1908 and 1915)
• UN Peacekeeping Medal (for service in Kosovo from 1995 to 2004)