A municipal police chief in Braga has resigned over what he calls “institutional terrorism” within the force that puts the safety of the population, as well as other policemen, at risk.
The extraordinary claim centres on the “malevolent handling” of weapons among the town’s municipal police and “extremely serious” cases of indiscipline within the corporation.
In a statement to Lusa news agency, life-long policeman João Paulo Vareta – in charge of Braga’s force since 2010 – said the town’s mayor has now agreed to fully investigate.
Justifying his own resignation – accepted by Mayor Ricardo Rio – Vareta said he could no longer continue in the role considering the “institutional terrorism” that he witnesses within Braga’s municipal police.
Vareta added that he will be producing a detailed report so that “disciplinary and criminal proceedings” could be taken.
The outgoing officer concluded that “in a security organisation there cannot be this kind of behaviour by agents who hide behind anonymity to incite fear”.
