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Law and Order in Italy: Understanding Carabinieri vs. Polizia

Law and Order in Italy: Understanding Carabinieri vs. Polizia

Italy is known for its unique law enforcement system, including Carabinieri and Polizia. Many people wonder how these two forces differentiate.

In short, Carabinieri is a military police force governed by the Ministry of Defense. At the same time, Polizia di Stato is similar to other civilian police forces and is governed by the Ministry of Interior. 

While there is no doubt both are law enforcement organizations, the Carabinieri are armed with bigger weapons and have military duties, while Polizia di Stato focuses mainly on domestic affairs. 

Read further for a deeper understanding of these two forces and their respective roles. So, let’s get started and dive into it… 

What is Carabinieri in Italy?

In Italy, the Carabinieri provide both military and civilian services under the control of the Ministry of Defense.

They have uniforms similar to other Gendarmerie-like groups, with bigger weapons than the Polizia di Stato. 

  • The primary mission of the Carabinieri is to maintain public order and security.
  • Their other assigned task is working with countering drug trafficking and financial crimes. 

The Vigili Urbani, on the other hand, are local city policemen in charge of traffic control and minor law enforcement duties. Thus, Carabinieri is a unique police force within Italy’s law enforcement system.

What is Polizia in Italy?

The Polizia in Italy is a civil police force that falls under the authority of the Ministry of Interior. 

What is Polizia in Italy?
Polizia Police Vans in Italy

The responsibilities of this law enforcement organization include:  

  • Crime prevention 
  • Investigation
  • Public order management
  • Counter-terrorism 
  • Road safety 
  • Border control

They have similar jurisdictions to other civilian police forces worldwide but differ from the Carabinieri, a military police force that the Ministry of Defense governs. 

The Carabinieri and Polizia’s biggest differences are their unique uniforms and bigger weapons. 

They are the persons who directly take action in some serious situations but at the same time, they are friendly which is why they must have good communication skills which helps them to tackle such hard issues.

Additionally, Guardia di Finanza, another military police force in Italy, focuses on countering drug trade and financial crimes. This force works under the authority of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. 

Difference Between Polizia and Carabinieri

CarabinieriPolizia di Stato
Governance Ministry of Defense (Ministero della Difesa)Ministry of Interior (Ministero dell’Interno)
Military police force with military and civilian dutiesSimilar to other civilian police forces
Bigger weaponsStandard-sized weapons
Black and heavier uniform Blue and casual uniform 
Law enforcement with similar jurisdictionLaw enforcement with similar jurisdiction
No role in Vigili UrbaniLocal city police who control traffic and perform law enforcement duties
Carabinieri vs. Polizia

Why Does Italy Have 2 Police?

In Italy, there are two distinct police forces – the Carabinieri and the Polizia. 

Why does Italy have 2 police?
Italian police is on duty.

The Carabinieri are part of the military but have broad policing authority throughout the country. 

They play a role in counterterrorism, organized crime investigations, border control, natural disaster response, arts and antiquities protection, public order control, and more. 

These two police are not the same they both have the different the same motive to make the surroundings safe and secure for everyone.

The Polizia, on the other hand, provides traditional police services such as criminal investigations, law enforcement, traffic control, and border control. 

This dual system of policing allows for greater coverage and oversight for maintaining safety and security in Italy. The purpose of having two is to ensure citizens’ and tourists‘ safety and maintenance of the order. 

Why Are There So Many Armed Police in Rome?

Why are there so many armed police in Rome?
An Image of Restaurant in Italy

The presence of armed police in Rome is a direct result of Esercito’s “Strade Sicure” operation, which involves replacing regular police with military troops for patrolling duties. 

This shift allows the police to be more focused on crime investigations. It also allows for a faster response in the case of a terrorist attack or disaster. 

Carabinieri, an independent military police force with a long tradition of trust and reliability, is often seen patrolling specific areas such as embassies and Piazze alongside the monuments. These soldiers often have very friendly behavior. 

So far, it appears that having so many armed police has been successful in helping to ensure peace and security on Rome’s streets. 

Does a Child Born in Italy Get Citizenship?

It’s impossible for a baby born in Italy to non-Italian parents to obtain Italian citizenship automatically. However, the child can become an Italian citizen if either one or both of their parents naturalize as Italian citizens before they turn 18. 

The child living in Italy until 18 years and completing 13 years of Italian schooling should apply to obtain Italian citizenship within 12 months of his 18th birthday. 

Additionally, suppose the US parents had legal residence in Italy when the baby was born and bred the child in Italy. In that case, the child is eligible for citizenship when they come of age. 

A new bill is pending in parliament, which would make birth ground for citizenship but with additional requirements such as the parents having a legal residence. 

If your child has managed to live in Italy until 18 years and the parents are not permanent residents they can also apply for it. But they have to fulfill all the required documents at the moment and these policies can be changed by the government. So, it would be an advantage to be updated with the new policies.

How Hard is it to Become a Cop in the US Compared to Italy?

In the United States, becoming a policeman is relatively straightforward if you meet all the requirements. 

How hard is it to become a cop in the US compared to Italy?
An Image of the Streets of Italy

Are Italian Cops Elite and Better Trained?

Generally speaking, local police officers are better trained and have more experience than their Italian counterparts. 

However, in Italy, there are two distinct types of law enforcement – the “polizia” and the “carabinieri,” considered part of the military. 

Carabinieri is the elite forces within the Italian system, and they receive much more extensive training than a typical street cop in the US.

Thus, while it may be easier to become an American police officer, it’s much harder to join Italy’s carabinieri due to their stringent requirements and high training standards. 

Ultimately, the best way to compare these two law enforcement systems is to look at the requirements and training of similarly situated officers on both sides. 

Video on Italian Culture

Conclusion 

  • The Carabinieri is a special military police force in Italy, governed by the Ministry of Defense.
  • The Polizia di Stato is a civilian police force under the Ministry of Interior.
  • The Carabinieri have bigger weapons than the Polizia and nice uniforms, whereas the Polizia wear civilian clothing.
  • The Carabinieri are responsible for military and civilian duties, while the Polizia focuses on crime prevention, investigation, public order management, counter-terrorism, and border control.
  • Guardia di Finanza is another law enforcement agency focusing on countering drug trafficking and financial crimes.

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