Data from the body that oversees police activity, to which the Lusa agency had access, show that between 2017 and 2022 the number of complaints increased, having doubled in six years from 772 to 1,436, however last year the complaints were the same as those in 2022.
According to IGAI, the PSP is the security force with the highest number of complaintshaving received 616 reports against the actions of Public Security Police agents in 2023, followed by the Republican National Guard, with 412, and the former Foreigners and Borders Service, with 163.
Most of the complaints that reached the IGAI in 2023 were complaints filed by citizens, totaling 753, with 263 reports from judicial entities, 192 from the General Directorate of Reinsertion and Prison Services and 11 from private and public entities.
Violation of duties of conduct represents almost half of complaints
According to IGAI, almost half (43%) of the complaints against the performance of security forces were related to the violation of duties of conduct (incorrect procedures or behavior), with a total of 608 complaints filed, of which 276 were directed to elements from the PSP, 175 to GNR military personnel and 140 to inspectors from the former SEF, which was abolished on October 29, 2023.
To the offenses to physical integrity were the second most filed type of complaint in 2023corresponding to 24.3%% of the total number of complaints against the actions of the police (349), followed by matters of an internal or professional nature, 72 complaints.
IGAI also received 23 complaints last year related to discriminatory practices, eight of which against PSP agents, nine more than in 2022.
The body led by judge Anabela Cabral Ferreira highlights that there was no record last year of “illegal arrests” and only one situation of “death” at the hands of the police.
The IGAI, supervised by the Ministry of Internal Administration, also indicates that in 2023, 1,436 administrative processes were initiated (total complaints), which, together with those carried over from the previous year, 1,855 processes were processed and 1,547 were concluded and four were converted into processes of a disciplinary. IGAI’s mission is to carry out audits, inspections and supervision of all entities, services and bodies supervised by MAI.
