The serial thefts recorded in the last few days in the car park of the Germaneto Polyclinic represent, according to the COISP, an alarm signal for the safety of the citizens of Catanzaro, in particular those residing in the peripheral neighbourhoods.
The national secretary of the police union, Gianfranco Morabito, expressed concern about the fewer resources allocated to the Police Officer’s Office of the Catanzaro Police Headquarters, a structure primarily responsible for preventing crime in the city.
“I note – states Morabito – a territorial control system that shows structural flaws, aggravated by a management of personnel assignments at a local level that cannot be shared”.
The request for a strengthening of the Flying Office
According to the national secretary of COISP, the reduction in the staff of the Flying Office risks affecting the ability to control the territory and the safety of citizens.
«While the colleagues of the Police Officers’ Office make heroic efforts – declares the National Secretary – we are faced with an unacceptable paradox: in the face of an increase in young policemen assigned to the province thanks to the careful hiring policies launched by the Government, one of the very few if not the only branch which has undergone, in the last year and a half, a reduction in staff is the Police Officers’ Office despite the fact that common crime continues to bite the territory, creating a growing sense of insecurity among citizens. Commissioner Linares would have done well to invest in human resources in this vital and delicate sector also because in the same period of time the Police Headquarters obtained an increase in staff of almost 20 units. It is an injustice towards those who, with a spirit of sacrifice and absolute self-sacrifice, guarantee the protection of the territory 24 hours a day, often operating in extremely understaffed conditions which make patrolling a daily challenge as they are exposed to the physical risks deriving from the aggression of criminals of all kinds. In the same way, it is also essential to proceed with the definitive assignment of a Manager to deal with this important sector since assigning a young and talented Officer to the Flying Office, but already burdened by the demanding role of officer in charge of the Flying Squad, was also a choice that cannot be shared”.
“I think – adds Morabito – that it is essential to guarantee an increasingly widespread control of the territory which covers peripheral areas and neighborhoods where Police patrols are rarely seen also because in those neighborhoods there is a resurgence of phenomena connected with petty crime in line, moreover, with the recent circulars signed by the Chief of Police”.
Appreciation to the Flying Agents
Morabito also expressed appreciation for the activity carried out by the Flying Squad personnel, underlining the operational difficulties faced on a daily basis.
“In this regard, I intend to express a robust and solemn appreciation of the commendable work carried out by the colleagues employed in the Flying Squad who, despite the serious shortages of resources and means, manage to guarantee high standards of efficiency, operational standards which are achieved only thanks to their spirit of self-sacrifice and their extreme professionalism. Operating on the road in today’s times – states Morabito – is truly complex and difficult and it is precisely by virtue of this that I have no hesitation in considering every single operator like a superhero”.
“I believe – continues the national secretary – that a change of course is necessary since both the police and the citizens of Catanzaro deserve greater security given that the protection of the territory is a daily responsibility that must be exercised on the road and which cannot be delegated to patrols coming from other departments – usually aggregated in the summer period – as they can be used with rules of engagement and timetables that are different from those foreseen for territorial patrols”.
“I hope – concludes Morabito – that on the occasion of the next ministerial movements the additional resources that will be allocated to this province will be channeled exclusively to reinvigorate the staff of the Flying Office also in consideration of the imminence of the summer period. I don’t see any other possible alternative: the control of the territory is the beating heart of the State Police and must be strengthened, not underestimated”.