Portugal Minister addresses police conduct and municipal force reforms

Portugal's Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, has stated that the Public Security Police (PSP) will act strictly within the powers granted by law. Addressing recent tensions, Neves emphasized that while the right to protest is a constitutionally protected and legitimate right, certain methods of demonstration must cease to comply with the law. He specifically addressed a recent police operation that resulted in 39 injuries, noting that investigations and dialogues are ongoing.

Separately, Luísa Salgueiro, the Mayor of Matosinhos, has formally requested a review of the special regime governing municipal police in Lisbon and Porto. Salgueiro argues that the current model weakens metropolitan commands by diverting resources away from the PSP. She is calling for a convergence of recruitment regimes between these major cities and other municipalities to ensure the PSP has sufficient personnel for preventive and community policing in the Porto metropolitan area.