PJ inspectors want direct access to former SEF databases

The PJ Criminal Investigations Union, which represents the inspectors of the disappeared SEF, demanded this Monday direct access to the databases of the former security service, which is now managed by the new migration agency and the Internal Security System.

In a note sent to Lusa, the union that represents inspectors of the disappeared Aliens and Borders Service and which currently works for the SP argues that judicial police specialists who investigate and combat human trafficking and illegal immigration should have direct access to the databases they worked with. in the previous service.

Only in this way, according to the union, will the PS be able to “more effectively combat networks of traffickers and exploiters, as well as free and protect victims of their criminal activities.”

After the closure of the SEF, in October last year, the databases were managed by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), regarding documentation for obtaining a residence permit and everything that serves as support for the issuance of residence documents. Immigrants, as well as the Border and Aliens Coordination Group, which operates under the direction of the Secretary General of Homeland Security and maintains police and border control databases.

“The effectiveness of the SEF investigation is partly due to the fact that all information relating to the travel of foreign nationals to Portugal belonged to the same person: entry, accommodation, stay, working relationships, requests made, documentation provided, documents issued. and leaving the country,” SPIC-PJ President Rui Paiva told Lusa.

According to the union, the effectiveness also stemmed from the possibility that inspectors had to analyze and integrate all available information, identifying patterns of anomalies that in many cases led to the conclusion that certain foreign nationals were being exploited by criminal organizations.

“What happened with the transition of former SEF inspectors to the judicial police is that they were taken away from them one of the most important tools they had: direct access to all the information that belonged to the SEF,” said Rui Paiva.

The trade unionist said that “without access to this information and relevant documentation, it is now impossible to ensure in the judicial police the level of excellence that has made Portugal famous, whether in the investigation of organized and transnational crime related to human trafficking or in the protection of victims.”

SPIC-PJ also challenges “those in government who advocate that PJ inspectors simply query AIMA or the Internal Security System for the information or documentation they need, the organizations that now manage the former SEF’s databases, which are updated with new data every day.” .

“Anyone understands that having direct access to databases and being able to freely search them or send a formal “email” to AIMA or SSI with a request, wait a few days and then receive information that is not very accurate from the person who collected him without even knowing what he was looking for,” said Rui Paiva.

According to the Union President, this situation “does not serve the national interests of the European Union” and “especially immigrants,” benefiting “mafia networks exploiting foreigners in Portugal.”