The new Police Municipal (PM) brigades are due to come into operation sometime next year. Currently, the only municipality in the Algarve to have such a police force is Albufeira.
In Olhão’s case, the Government gave the green light in August for the municipality to create the PM force, with a total of 12 officers being provided for the regulation of organisation and operation of the service.
The force’s main mission will be to oversee “compliance with laws and regulations” in matters relating to the duties of the municipality, and to cooperate “with the other security forces in maintaining public order and protecting local communities”.
With regard to Lagos, the council last week published an official notice in the Diário da República government gazette informing citizens of the start of a 30-day public consultation period on the matter.
The council intends for the new service to comprised a staff of 26 personnel, consisting of a commander, a deputy and 24 agents.
“In terms of organisation, it is expected that the Municipal Police will work seven days a week, from 8am to 12am, which will be extended in high season (between the end of March and the end of October) to a schedule that will stretch until 4am”, the council clarified.
The Municipal Police will be headquartered in a council building, adapted for that purpose, in the centre of Lagos.