Maritime Police inspectors sue Portuguese State and Navy

The Association of Inspectors and Chiefs of the Maritime Police (AICPM) has launched legal action against the Portuguese State and the Navy (Armada), alleging that the Maritime Police is in a state of “total chaos.” The association claims the institution is facing a “material collapse” driven by financial asphyxiation, a lack of human resources, and insufficient equipment.

Specific grievances include local commands operating with only a single officer on duty, early closures to the public, and a Tactical Actions Group (GAT) reduced to a single nautical vessel. Additionally, the association reported that all-terrain vehicles are aging and failing periodic inspections.

The AICPM also denounced “illicit interference” by the Chief of the General Staff of the Navy (CEMA), asserting that the military leadership is overstepping its hierarchical competence. The association criticized a perceived scheme to place Navy personnel in Maritime Police roles to facilitate promotions and noted that the Chief of Staff has exonerated three commanders-general within two years. The group stated that the Maritime Police lacks its own budget and is dependent on insufficient funds provided by the Navy.