The Association of Maritime Police Inspectors and Chiefs (AICPM) filed a lawsuit at the Administrative Court of Lisbon Circle against the Portuguese State and the Military Command of the Navy, denouncing a state of "total chaos" and "material collapse" at the security force, at a time when the institution celebrates 107 years of existence. The initiative comes after exhausting all attempts at resolution through institutional dialogue, with the association alleging that budgetary restrictions and direct financial dependence on the Navy have made the operational capacity of agents at the various local commands throughout the country unviable.
The lawsuit highlights the severe shortage of human resources verified over the past 10 years, during which only 182 members joined the force, when the legally stipulated staffing sets the minimum complement at 722 personnel. As a consequence, some local posts operate with only one police officer on duty during shifts, and certain facilities close public service from 5 PM onwards. The association warns of a scenario of institutional hollowing, drawing a parallel with the dissolution of the former Foreigners and Borders Service.
The complaint also emphasizes the degradation of available resources, including recurring breakdowns of nautical assets, lack of land patrol vehicles, and vehicles failing mandatory periodic inspections. The absence of an autonomous budget allocation exacerbates the difficulties in maintaining and acquiring items essential for daily service, compromising the response capacity to enforcement, rescue, and security incidents in areas under national maritime jurisdiction.
The AICPM also contests how the Navy's hierarchy has exercised oversight over the security force, accusing the Military Command of the Navy of "unlawful interference" in daily management and criticizing the appointment of military personnel to positions that should be filled by specialized police career officers. The proceedings filed in court aim to force the restoration of legally stipulated staffing levels, the provision of adequate operational resources for the mission, and the clarification of the boundaries of action between military hierarchy and the civilian administration of public security.
