by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Caterina De Gavardo, Trieste Councilor for Public Safety and Local Police
The city’s municipal police force has undergone one of its most significant transformations in decades, introducing 24-hour service, a canine unit and drone surveillance while expanding staffing levels to meet the needs of a city increasingly shaped by tourism and large public events.
Marking the 164th anniversary of the force on Friday, city officials highlighted a year of modernization and growth that has broadened the role of the Polizia Locale beyond traditional traffic enforcement and neighborhood patrols.
Among the most notable changes was the completion of the force’s arming process, which allowed Trieste to launch continuous 24-hour coverage in May 2025. Previously, local police patrols ended at 2 a.m. and resumed at 7 a.m.
The department also added 21 new officers over the past year, strengthening its presence across the city and enabling the creation of new specialized services. A canine unit featuring Conan, a Belgian Malinois trained to detect narcotics, officially joined the force this spring after initially operating on loan from another municipality.
Technology has become an increasingly important tool. Last November, the force introduced its first drone, equipped for investigative work, search-and-rescue operations and territorial monitoring. Seven officers have been certified as drone pilots.
The statistics underscore the scope of the department’s work. Over the last 12 months, local police recorded 1,968 traffic accidents, including four fatal crashes, identified more than 3,500 individuals during anti-degradation operations and handled nearly 50,000 calls through the operations center. Officers also carried out 18 arrests and conducted thousands of environmental, commercial and residency-related inspections.
Officials said the city’s growing popularity as a tourist destination has increased demands on public safety services. Local police played key roles in managing major events including the Barcolana sailing regatta, concerts by Elisa and Robbie Williams, and activities related to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics torch relay.
At the anniversary ceremony scheduled for Saturday in Piazza Verdi, several officers will be recognized for notable acts ranging from criminal investigations and drug seizures to life-saving interventions and emergency evacuations.
