by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Caterina de Gavardo, Trieste Councilor for Urban Security Policies; Christian Donolato – Inspector, Armorer
Trieste’s municipal police force has completed a multiyear transition to full armament, aligning the department with regional standards and enabling 24-hour operations.
The process, launched in 2017, was fully implemented in mid-2025 alongside the activation of round-the-clock service. City officials said the measure was necessary to meet evolving security needs and to fulfill responsibilities identified by the local Prefecture and the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Security, particularly in the management of traffic accidents during nighttime hours.
Trieste was among the last cities in Friuli Venezia Giulia to equip its local police with firearms. The force now counts 226 armed officers and maintains 250 Glock pistols, in accordance with regulations requiring reserve weapons. All externally deployed operational units carry sidearms, with the exception of the Community Policing Unit, which follows a neighborhood-based model and remains unarmed.
Officers are required to complete a certification process comparable to that of other Italian law enforcement agencies, followed by mandatory annual refresher courses. The regional government finances the training program, and additional voluntary sessions are available at the shooting range. Instruction includes advanced operational techniques, such as firing from nonstandard positions and handling weapons under adverse conditions.
The introduction of firearms also led to the creation of a specialized armorer role within the department. Five armorers are currently in service, each assigned to oversee specific district facilities. In addition to routine inspections and ammunition management, they are responsible for complex maintenance, component replacement and technical adjustments. Each district station is equipped with reinforced storage units, while the central headquarters houses an expanded armory and a dedicated maintenance room.
According to police officials, the armorers completed specialized certification training in the province of Bolzano at the Italian importer of the service weapons. Routine upkeep, including field stripping and cleaning, remains the responsibility of individual officers.
In addition to firearms, the force carries pepper spray, categorized as a self-defense tool. The department also participates in regional training initiatives on its proper use.
