In this second article we will continue to address the discussion about the feasibility and benefits of integrating the Judiciary Police (PJ) with the National Republican Guard (GNR) and the Public Security Police (PSP).
Rogério COPETO
Colonel of the GNR
Master in Law and Security and Homeland Security Auditor
The merger does not mean the loss of specialization, on the contrary, experts in areas such as cybercrime, terrorism and financial crimes can be organized into highly specialized departments within the new entity, these departments can function as centers of excellence, maintaining a high level of technical experience and specialist knowledge, while benefiting from more comprehensive resources and closer coordination with other police functions.
To maximize the effectiveness of the new Security Force (FS), It will be crucial to implement training programs that cross traditionally separate disciplines, allowed to its elements, regardless of its origin in the GNR, PSP ou PJ, acquire skills in a variety of areas, increasing the versatility of the new FS, as, patrol officers could receive basic training in forensic investigation techniques, while investigators could learn rapid response and crisis management tactics.
One of the main advantages of a unified FS is the ability to share resources and information more efficiently, where integrated data platforms, forensic laboratories and investigative technologies could be used more cohesively, allowing the new FS to respond more quickly and informedly to criminal incidents, whose centralization of resources could also lead to significant savings and a reduction in operational redundancy.
With the merger, the new FS could quickly mobilize a variety of capabilities in response to complex threats or national emergencies, whose flexibility is crucial in situations that require both specialized knowledge and a robust operational response, such as in terrorist attack scenarios, where the ability to quickly integrate information, criminal investigation and tactical operations would be a significant advantage.
In a world where criminal types are constantly evolving, a unified FS with diverse capabilities, but specialized, would be better equipped to adapt and respond to new challenges, whose flexible structure would allow FS to quickly reorganize in response to changes in the security environment, with emphasis on cybercrime, international terrorism, or other emerging foci.
The integration of the PJ with the GNR and the PSP is a proposal that aims to create two robust FS, each with expanded and standardized capabilities, this merger not only simplifies Portugal's internal security structure, but also promotes uniformity in the policies and training of the two remaining FS, whose harmonization of policies and training programs between the GNR and the PSP can raise performance and efficiency standards.
The merger of the PJ with the GNR and the PSP allows the creation of integrated training programs that combine the knowledge and investigation techniques of the PJ with the operational capabilities of the GNR and PSP, resulting in more comprehensive training curricula, where elements would receive uniform training in areas such as criminal investigation, crisis management, tactical operations and proximity policing, This approach not only expands the competencies of each element, but also ensures that all operatives are equipped to deal with a wider range of security scenarios.
The integration of the PJ could facilitate the unification and standardization of operational policies between the GNR and the PSP, where determinations on the use of force, criminal investigation protocols, Proximity policing and emergency responses would be standardized, providing a more consistent and coordinated response throughout the national territory, whose uniformity in policies helps eliminate confusion and inefficiencies that can arise from divergent practices, in addition to strengthening the accountability and transparency capacity of the FS.
Unifying training programs and sharing training resources can lead to significant savings and more efficient resource management, whose centralization of training reduces duplication of efforts and allows the GNR and PSP to take advantage of infrastructure and specialized knowledge, such as forensic laboratories and simulation centers, that could previously have been segregated, not only saving financial resources, but also ensuring a more cohesive and integrated training.
The merger encourages the development of cross-capability between elements, and they can be trained in advanced criminal investigation methods, traditionally a specialty of PJ, while the tactical experience of the GNR and the urban patrolling strategies of the PSP could be shared reciprocally, This exchange of skills enriches the professionalism of the elements and improves overall operational effectiveness.
With standardized policies and training, law enforcement becomes more consistent across the country, being vital to maintaining justice and equity, providing citizens with a uniform public safety experience, regardless of whether they are in urban or rural areas, whose consistency would also improve public perception of the fairness and effectiveness of FS, increasing trust and respect for the law.
This merger would imply that the specialized investigative capabilities of the PJ would be integrated into the structures of the GNR and the PSP, enhancing the logistical and operational support of these two FS, This integration can improve the response to complex crimes, particularly in large-scale operations and in remote locations.
The integration of PJ capabilities into the GNR and PSP would facilitate the rapid mobilization of resources in emergency situations, where GNR, with its experience in rural areas and the PSP, with its strong presence in urban areas, could benefit from the PJ's technical and analytical knowledge for a more effective response and in cases of complex crimes that require immediate action, such as terrorism or kidnapping, the ability to quickly deploy specialized units with adequate logistical support is crucial.
Integration would allow for broader and more efficient geographic coverage, hair than PJ, when merged with GNR and PSP, could extend its research operations to areas where it would traditionally have less presence, especially in rural or border areas managed by the GNR, meaning that complex investigations could directly benefit from the infrastructure and territorial reach of the GNR, as well as the urban capillarity of the PSP.
Note: The text constitutes the exclusive and unique opinion of its author, which only binds to this and do not reflect the opinion or position of the institution where it provides services.
