New officers and agents reinforce the Lisbon Municipal Police
This reinforcement is due to the recent addition of 3 officers and 22 agents to prevent and inspect roads, establishments open to the public, markets and fairs.
Anyone who lives in or walks around Lisbon has certainly noticed a greater presence of the Municipal Police on the streets. Whether it's at intersections with traffic control officers, in patrol cars or motorcycles, at large events managing traffic or removing vehicles.
We went to accompany the new agents on their first days of reconnaissance in the city.
In Lisbon, in a residential area, at number 46 Rua Alexandre Herculano, the Mobility Coordination Center (CCM) is discreetly located. This center is essential for ensuring safe mobility conditions in the city, both for pedestrians and vehicles.
During the night shift, before the arrival of the new staff, officers from the Municipal Police are already at the CCM managing the incidents that arrive at the center. The space is perfectly organized, ready to respond to calls at any time, as well as to monitor the situations that have occurred through the screens that cover the room.
At 10:30 p.m., the 25 new members of the PML arrived at the CCM, accompanied by Deputy Superintendent Costa Fonte. They are welcomed by Commissioner Nelson Casteloa, who instructs them on how the plant works. Aligned and attentive, the new members absorb every detail of the instructions.
The main objective is to identify the incidents that arrive at the center and determine the resources needed to resolve each situation.
If it's a car that's being stopped, a tow truck will be sent; for nightclubs that are operating improperly, we'll send an inspection brigade; if it's an occurrence outside our scope, for example a crime, we'll forward the call to the PSP, explains Commissioner Casteloa.
With everything duly defined and registered, the door of the Mobility Coordination Center opens for a new mission: to inspect the Bairro Alto area.
We head out in the Municipal Police car to meet Commissioner Ana Paula Cadete, who will explain the work done in one of the city's busiest areas.
Safer Lisbon
A segurança é o maior ativo de uma cidade e reforçá-la é uma prioridade
The 25 new members of the PML will be assigned to the areas of traffic, mobility and enforcement, as Deputy Superintendent Costa Fonte explained to us:
these 25 elements are 25 advantages for the Municipal Police and for the municipality of Lisbon. This reinforcement allows for more police on the streets, greater help for citizens, residents and even those who visit the city every day. With this reinforcement we will be able to respond more quickly and be closer to the problems.
In order to make sure that everyone feels prepared for their new duties, a welcome has been properly organized, with the aim of preparing these police officers to provide their service in the best possible way
these are police officers who already have some experience. They all come from a public security background. This welcome is very important for them to get to know the resources available and what their mission is, so that they are integrated and prepared to respond to this challenge.
Mission in Bairro Alto: to ensure order and security
During the day, car traffic and street noise disguise some sources of noise. However, it's at night, when the city goes to sleep, that the problems arise.
It's after midnight. The white and green Municipal Police van arrives at Rua Luísa Todi. As they descend the steps of the bus, the new members of the PML line up to listen to the Commissioner Cadete's instructions. It's Friday and hundreds of people are walking through the streets, heading for the bars and nightclubs.
From Rua Luísa Todi they head for the narrow streets of Bairro Alto. On their way down, the three officers and 22 agents split into two groups to check on the retail establishments.
One of the groups is accompanied by the Commissioner. Together, they enter various bars to check that everything is in accordance with the regulations. They observe their surroundings, while the Commissioner asks questions about how they should act in each situation.
In Bairro Alto we have the task of closing the bars at the right time. There are various opening hours for the establishments, so we try to make sure that they close on time. As well as closing the bars, we try to combat the street vending that sometimes takes place here. And, of course, we monitor the establishments, explains the commissioner.
From market stalls to inspections at the Clock Fair
It's Sunday. The new arrivals are ready for their last day of welcome. They've gone from night to day. And this time, all roads lead to the Clock Fair.
The market, one of the largest in the city, which takes place every Sunday on Avenida de Santo Condestável, begins at dawn, under the watchful eye of inspectors from Lisbon City Council and the Municipal Police.
It's 9.30am and the stalls are already packed with clothes, shoes, tools, household appliances, furniture, wallets... everything and "one more pair of boots".
After the end of the period in which the traders enter the fair, we move on to the interior inspection. In other words, we're going to check that everyone is taking their rightful place, in order to prevent there from being illegal vendors at the fair, explains Commissioner Gil.
In order to sell products at the fair, you must have an occasional sales license. Without one, you can't sell inside or outside the fairgrounds. While making their rounds, the teams realize that some people are selling outside the fairgrounds.
Two members of the Municipal Police, one on each side, are carrying a green basket with various illegal materials: headphones, portable batteries, smartwatches, etc:
We've just detected a vendor selling products outside the perimeter of the fair. We approached him, seized the products and are currently drawing up the seizure report and then the administrative offense report for the infraction he committed, explains the Commissioner.
After the event, the new members are on the lookout. Principal Agent Rui Álvaro explains how to proceed in these situations:
Here (at the fair) we raise the administrative offense and the process is organized by the parish council, in this case Marvila. If it were inside the fair, the process would be organized by Lisbon City Council.
The main purpose of this
integrate these new elements. And the best way to integrate them is on the ground. In the field, they can observe these kinds of situations and, at the same time, learn from the people who have been here longer so that, in the future, they know how to carry out the work assigned to them, says Commissioner Gil.
For Principal Agent Fátima Barreto, the welcome
has been fantastic. We've been welcomed by people and as people, obviously we're professionals, but the personal part is intrinsic.
Anyone walking down the street will probably come across Principal Agent Fátima:
my job will be in traffic. We're going to check on traffic planning and help with mobility in the city of Lisbon, so that everything flows more smoothly.
While waiting for Deputy Superintendent Costa Fonte to arrive, the members exchanged views on their experience during this period of integration.
At the signal, everyone got up from the green chairs that contrasted with the whiteness of the room, adopting a respectful posture to listen to the Deputy Superintendent's final words.
In his speech, Deputy Superintendent Costa Fonte highlighted the importance of the welcome, considering it fundamental for the effective performance of future duties:
The purpose of this welcome was to better prepare you for what will be your responsibilities, in road prevention and inspection, establishments open to the public, markets and fairs.
With these words, the Deputy Superintendent not only reinforces the importance of the commitment and responsibility that each person must assume, but also underlines the continuous learning process that accompanies police practice:
The main mission is to contribute to the citizen's quality of life.
The 25 new members, now officially part of the Lisbon Municipal Police, left the Command aware of the challenges that await them and ready to begin the next phase of their professional career, determined to fulfill the mission of serving and protecting the Lisbon community with excellence.
Mobility Coordination Center
In 2023, 97,419 were received and attended to, with the most frequent occurrences being vehicle towing [16,960], noise [2,523] and construction inspection [1,383].
Distribution by day of the week and time of day
This year, the PML has seen a peak in calls between 08:00 and 20:00. In 2023, the highest peak of calls was on Fridays, between 08:00 and 10:00.