Law 121/1981: Reforming the Italian State Police

• Law 121/1981 is a fundamental point of reference for the organization and operation of the State Police in Italy.
• It brought significant changes, improving the professionalism, transparency, and democratic nature of the police forces
• Law 121/1981 sought to reconcile guaranteeing security with respecting individual freedoms of citizens.

Definition of Importance

• Demilitarization occurred within the police force

• Trade union representation was introduced

• The role of Inspectors was introduced

• Law 121/1981 defined the role of the State Police as a body committed to protecting public order

• The State Police is dedicated to the safety of citizens and in preventing crime.

• The State Police was separated from the armed forces, under the Ministry of the Interior.

• The separation of the State Police from the armed forces attributed a civil task of public and non-military security to the police.

• Complexity involves verticalization and coordination.

• At the national level, relevant entities are the Minister of the Interior, CNOSP, Head of Police, and Director General of Public Security.

• At the local level, relevant entities are the Prefect and Police Commissioner, CPOSP, Head of the PS Commissariat, and Mayor.

Roles and Qualifications

• Law enforcement is not subject to privatization.
• The State Police involves the union of old Corps with male and female personnel.
• Entry into roles involves age limits and entry from within or outside the organization.
  • Roles accessible only from the outside are those of agents and assistants.
  • Roles accessible only from the inside are those of superintendents.
  • Roles accessible from both outside and inside are those of inspectors and commissioners.
• The total staff is approximately 100,000 currently.
  • Agents and assistants have approximately 52,000 ordinary roles and 1,000 technical roles starting in 2027.
  • Superintendents have approximately 24,000 ordinary roles and 852 technical roles starting in 2027.
  • Inspectors have approximately 23,000 ordinary roles, with 5,720 as Deputy Commissioners and 1,500 technical roles starting in 2027.
  • Executive roles have approximately 1,500 ordinary roles and 362 technical roles starting in 2027.
  • Managerial roles have approximately 3,400 VQA+VQ+PD ordinary roles, 1,595 DIR.SUP roles and 32 DIR.GEN roles.
• Agents and assistants have 4 qualifications.
• Access is through public competition based on qualifications and exams.
• Recruit Agents undergo 6 months of school + 6 months as Probationary Agents.

Promotions

• Selected Agent: 5 years (including training period)
• Assistant: 5 years
• Chief Assistant: 5 years
• Assistant Chief Coordinator Superintendent Inspector Commissioner roles all can be achieved

Functions (art. 5 DPR 335/1982)

• Personnel belonging to the agents and assistants role of the State Police are assigned the qualifications of public safety agent and judicial police agent.
• Said personnel perform executive duties with the margin of initiative and discretion inherent to the qualifications possessed.
• They may also, in relation to any specific professional preparation possessed, carry out personnel training tasks for the State Police.
• Personnel in the positions of assistant and chief assistant may also be given coordination or command assignments of one or more agents in operational service.

Functions (Art. 24 L. 121/81)

• The State Police performs its functions in the service of democratic institutions and citizens, soliciting their collaboration.
• It protects the exercise of freedoms and rights of citizens, supervises compliance with laws, regulations, and provisions of public authorities.
• The police protect public order and safety
• The police provide for the prevention and suppression of crimes and provide assistance in case of disasters and injuries.
• Art. 68 L. 121/81 states that members of the State Police roles are required, even off duty, to observe the duties pertaining to their function.
• Professional updating requires 12 days per year.

Advancement

• Promotion can be ordinary, for extraordinary merit, or upon termination of service.

Reviews

• Causes of non-reviewability can come up

Types of Reviews

• For absolute merit
• For comparative merit
• For an open role
• For a closed role

Personal Scrutiny Form

• information reports
• tasks and services performed outside the normal office duties
• Other qualifications
• Seniority
• Discretionary category

Ordinary Leave

• The right to psychophysical recovery according to art. 36 of the Constitution
• Programming depends on the needs of the Office.

Duration

• 30 days for the first 3 years of service
• 32 days for personnel with less than 15 years of service (but more than 3)
• 37 days for personnel with more than 15 years of service but less than 25
• 45 days for personnel with more than 25 years of service +4 days of L. 937/1977.