Law enforcement in Italy

Law enforcement in Italy is provided by multiple police forces, five of which are national, Italian agencies.

General Considerations

Italy divides police enforcement into Military and Civil guards, distinguishing each "corps" for duties and jurisdictions. All law enforcement officers are considered "Pubblico Ufficiale" (Public Functionary) but not all officers are "Agente di Pubblica Sicurezza" (Public Safety officer) as the latter gives the authority to arrest, investigate and patroll in the whole national territory and in all situations.

All police are under the Ministero dell'Interno, the highest police and public safety authority, which - through the Department of Public Safety - coordinates the enforcements. Locally, Polizia di Stato is under the Authority of the Prefetto, who collaborates with the Questore (the local chief of Polizia di Stato, with technical jurisdiction on all forces.) to organise the enforcements.

Polizia Locale is under the authority of the mayor, but the officers' mandate is valid only during duty time, while Carabinieri, Polizia di Stato and Guardia di Finanza (which are public safety agents) are always "on duty", even during leave and vacations.