PSP director launches ‘rapid investigation’ into police actions in Famalican Sporting

The national director of the PSP announced this Sunday that he ordered a “rapid investigation” into what happened during the security of the Famalican-Sporting football match and called on the police to maintain a “sense of mission for the good of the public cause.”

“In light of what happened yesterday [sábado] regarding the supervision of the Famalican/Sporting Portuguese Club game, and although the Minister of the Interior has already ordered the opening of an investigation into the above-mentioned events (…), I have also decided that an urgent investigation into what happened must be carried out to such an extent that the confidence of the citizens in their The public security police could never be compromised,” writes José Barros Correia in an email sent this Sunday morning to all PSP staff.

In the letter, which Luza had access to, the PSP director emphasizes that he follows the “concerns” of the police, a position he has previously expressed, but appealed to “professionalism, dedication and a sense of mission to the community.” Reason” that have characterized and distinguished the police since 1867.

“Despite our own legitimate concerns as professionals and as people, we must always remember that our legitimacy and authority as police professionals will only be recognized and strengthened if we know that in all our attitudes and behavior we must create an image that deserves respect. , authority, compassion and, more than ever, commitment and trust in the citizens we serve,” says José Barros Correia.

In this sense, the PSP director calls on the police to continue “with all their professionalism, dedication and dedication to public service to earn the trust of the citizens” they serve.

The email, which was sent to officers, supervisors, agents and technical staff supporting the operational activities of the PSP, this Sunday at 9:39 am, followed the postponement of the Famalican-Sporting football match on Saturday after those in charge concluded that it will not provide security. conditions existed.

According to PSP, “Prior to policing at the event, an unusually high number of police officers reported being sick and reporting sick leave.”

Following these events, the Minister of Internal Affairs ordered the opening of an urgent investigation by the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI), “especially with regard to large-scale and sudden absences for medical reasons by police officers.”

The Home Secretary also directed the IGAI to launch an investigation into allegations made by the union representative regarding the activities of the PSP in the context of the upcoming elections, namely the possibility that the transport of ballot boxes may be at risk.

In an interview with SIC Notícias, the president of the National Police Union said that not only football matches, but also legislative elections could be at risk, since it is the police who transport ballot boxes.

José Luis Carneiro also summoned the national director of the PSP and the general commander of the PPR to a meeting, which is taking place from 9 a.m. at the Ministry of the Interior, attended by about 300 police officers abroad, to express support for those responsible for the two security forces.

This Sunday’s Leixões-Nacional football match, scheduled for 11am, was also postponed due to police absence. An email from the National Director was sent prior to the announcement of further postponement.

The PSP and GNR elements require a supplement identical to that allocated to the Judicial Police, since for almost four weeks they protested against the initiative of the PSP agent before the Assembly of the Republic in Lisbon, which later spread throughout the country. .

Most of the protests have been called through social networks, namely Telegram, with an inorganic movement called the “inop movement” emerging in recent days, which does not involve any intervention from trade unions, despite the fact that there is a platform for organizing trade unions PSP and GNR. associations created to demand a review of salary bonuses for security forces.

The platform, which organized two demonstrations in Lisbon and Porto and is considered the largest ever, wrote to the prime minister on Saturday about the “extreme situation” of the professionals they represent, warning of possible “extreme positions” due to a “lack of response.” “from the government.