A potential candidate for President of Republic, admiral shows his mettle
In a speech larded with wider messaging, Portugal’s chief of staff of the Navy, Admiral Gouveia e Melo, praised the efficiency of the Maritime Police force that falls under his remit, saying it is “possibly the most efficient the state has”.
Considering the last week has been full of news on the dramatic consequences of the shooting dead of a black man by PSP police in a neighbourhood scarred by incidents of discrimination, this was no chance remark. Gouveia e Melo is, after all, a potential candidate for the next President of the Republic – and if he declares his intentions, he will not be without support.
But beyond hinting at the ‘lack of efficiency’ of other police forces, the admiral also highlighted the maritime police force’s compliance with the law. Again, another carefully chosen expression that spoke volumes.
Gouveia e Melo – the military man who rose to international ‘fame’ during his command of Portugal’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign – was addressing maritime police on the occasion of their 105th anniversary, celebrated in Viana do Castelo yesterday with a simulation of one of the many missions that the force has carried out.
Suggesting the force is possibly the most efficient the country has, he explained why: it is backed by the full logistics of the Navy and fully focused on its diverse operational responsibilities. Added to this, it is a police force that is wholeheartedly respected, indeed “loved by everyone”. All this, without saying a word, contrasts to the image of land-based PSP police, particularly in the poor neighbourhoods around the capital where the bulk of recent ‘disturbances’ have been taking place.
The final kicker in the speech perhaps was the comment that the maritime police was a force in which no-one is above the law.
In short, it was a speech apparently on one simple level that cut deep.
The admiral’s message also came at a time when the maritime police is waiting for an update to its professional statute which the Secretary of State for National Defence, also present at yesterday’s celebrations, has now guaranteed ‘will be ready by the end of the year’.
Portugal’s maritime police currently involves 500 operatives patrolling more than 2,000 kms of coastline.
