Madeira needs at least 150 additional PSP officers to meet its policing needs, according to Paulo Jardim of the Independent Union of Police Agents (SIAP).
Staff shortages and growing pressure to provide policing for events were central to a meeting between the union’s Madeira representatives and PSP regional commander Ricardo Matos. The concerns come alongside police protests over pay and demands for an insularity allowance to reflect the additional costs of living and working in an island region.
Jardim said the shortage was particularly acute during the summer, when parties, festivals and major events, including the Madeira Wine Rally and the Monte Festival, place additional demands on officers.
He argued that the sharp increase in events since the pandemic had stretched the force’s capacity. To cover paid policing duties, the PSP issues service orders requiring officers to work on their days off or outside their normal hours.
“Police officers also have families and need time to rest and recover physically and mentally. Otherwise, they end up working tired, and it is the public who suffer the consequences,” he warned.
According to Jardim, Matos has sought to ease the pressure by declining some requests to police sporting events and encouraging arrangements that require fewer officers.
Proposals include holding events in enclosed venues and combining PSP policing with private security, while retaining police command where appropriate. The aim is to reduce the number of officers assigned to duties that other security personnel could undertake.
The union also raised alleged irregularities at Câmara de Lobos Police Station, including restrictions on its local delegate’s freedom to carry out union activities. According to Jardim, the regional commander expressed a willingness to investigate the allegation.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Views: 8
