A new municipal police force is patrolling the streets of Lagoa, with the goal of making the municipality a safer place to live, visit and work.
After years of relying solely on the National Republican Guard (GNR), the municipality has launched its own local police unit, focused on day-to-day issues like parking, traffic and public space management.
The new force, which began operating this March, is still small, with just five officers currently on patrol and a sixth expected soon, led by commander Gabriel Reis. But the aim is bigger: to take pressure off the GNR and improve response times for everyday problems that affect residents and visitors alike.
The commander – who spent nearly 30 years in the GNR, including a number of years leading the GNR force in Carvoeiro – said the shift was necessary as police resources struggle to keep up with demand.
“GNR resources are increasingly reduced and often cannot respond to everything the population needs,” he said. “People want quick responses, that’s understandable, but there are priorities.”
By handling issues like illegal parking, traffic control and local disturbances, the municipal police hope to free up GNR officers to focus on serious crime.
“Everything related to crime – domestic violence, assaults, property invasion – that is for the GNR,” the commander said.
The transition, however, is not without challenges.
“Of course, at the beginning, people will be confused. Many do not know what we do or how we are different from other police forces,” the commander admitted.
Part of the job now is educating the public – including the large foreign community living in Lagoa – about the difference between the police forces.
“We speak English and can get the message across. What matters is that people feel safe,” he said.
That message is central to the new force’s approach. The goal, he added, is not to create a sense of enforcement for its own sake, but to make residents feel they live in a secure and well-managed area.
“We want people to feel this is a safe place to live and that they chose the right place,” he said.
One important detail that many are unaware of is that municipal police in Portugal can also make arrests, but only in certain situations. They are allowed to detain someone if they are caught in the act of committing a crime that carries a prison sentence. In those cases, the suspect must then be handed over immediately to the PSP or GNR police, as criminal investigations remain outside the municipal force’s main responsibilities.
Starting from scratch
Building the force from scratch has been a major task, the commander said.
The idea first came in 2023, when local officials invited Gabriel Reis to take on the role. He knew it would be difficult but says the need for a municipal police force in Lagoa was clear.
The municipality, like much of the Algarve, has seen steady population growth alongside seasonal tourism peaks, putting extra pressure on existing services.
At the same time, recruiting officers is proving difficult.
“There is not much attractiveness to the profession,” he admitted, pointing to outdated regulations – which the commander believes should be urgently reviewed by the government – and salary constraints.
Different areas, different problems
Managing such a small team within such a diverse municipality is another challenge that the new commander is facing. Lagoa is home to very different realities, from quieter inland towns to busy coastal hotspots like Carvoeiro.
“Estômbar is a very calm and mostly trouble-free town, but Carvoeiro, for example, is completely different,” the commander said, noting how the famous seaside town sees its population skyrocket in the summer months.
With limited staff, patrols have to be carefully planned, rotating across different areas while focusing on known trouble spots.
“That doesn’t mean we will disregard or abandon places like Estômbar,” the commander guaranteed. “But we will have to deploy our officers smartly”.
Carvoeiro, in particular, is a priority – especially with persistent reports of visible drug dealing during peak tourist periods.
“We have to act there. I know Carvoeiro well, and I will be there in person this summer to help bring the situation under control,” he said.
The response will involve closer cooperation with the GNR, including reinforced patrols starting around Easter.
Despite taking on new responsibilities, the municipal police are not replacing the GNR – far from it. Instead, the commander described the relationship as a constant, day-to-day partnership.
Preparations for summer underway
With summer just a few months away, the new municipal police are already preparing for when beaches and tourist areas become major pressure points.
Parking, in particular, is expected to be a challenge in world-famous coastal spots such as Benagil or Praia da Marinha where demand far exceeds available space.
“These places are so well known that everyone wants to go to the same beach,” commander Reis told us.
“We’re going to try to at least organise the usual parking chaos, and we have a plan for that, which we cannot yet reveal,” he added.
With just a handful of officers, covering all areas will not be easy. The long-term goal is to expand the force to 24 officers, but that is still some way off.
“I would like to be optimistic and say next year, but it’s not easy,” he said.
Citizens’ help is vital
For now, the commander is asking residents – both Portuguese and foreign – to play their part.
He stressed the importance of reporting issues and working with the police, especially in areas like public cleanliness.
One recurring problem is illegal dumping of large items next to rubbish bins.
“There is a free collection service,” he said. “People just need to contact the council and schedule it. Don’t leave mattresses, washing machines or construction waste next to bins.”
As the new force settles in, expectations are being managed. With limited resources and a wide area to cover, progress will take time, the commander acknowledges.
However, he is confident the presence of municipal police will make a difference – not just in handling daily issues, but in improving overall quality of life for residents and holidaymakers alike.
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Municipal police in Algarve
Lagoa has joined four municipalities in the Algarve which already have municipal police forces: Albufeira, Lagos, Olhão and Faro.
- Albufeira: +351 289 599 504 | policia.municipal@cm-albufeira.pt
- Faro: + 289 888 000 | geral@cm-faro.pt
- Lagoa: +351 282 380 400 | policia.municipal@cm-lagoa.pt
- Lagos: +351 282 780 900 | policia.municipal@cm-lagos.pt
- Olhão: +351 289 700 150 | policia.municipal@cm-olhao.pt
