Learn how government building security works in capital cities around the world

The Federal District’s response to the attacks carried out against the Three Powers by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in Brasília, this Sunday (8), was at the center of discussions about the episode.

Capitals around the world face challenges in dealing with the territorial concentration of the Executive Power apparatus, legislative houses and instances of the Judiciary, not to mention international bodies and embassies. These cities often have distinct administrative statuses and, in some cases, their own police force.

Some seats of government still have the size of a metropolis and are, at the same time, important tourist destinations. This is the case in Paris, which has a single police force, subordinated to the president’s office — today, Emmanuel Macron. Rome also has a special situation, with more autonomy in relation to other large Italian cities, for having, in addition to national and foreign institutions, the Vatican within its urban perimeter.

In the US, Washington police mix local, district and federal assignments. When the Capitol was attacked in January 2021 by supporters of then-President Donald Trump, she went on to act when the invasion was already underway, since another force of order is responsible for the complex.

Paris, France)

In the French capital, which has just over 2 million inhabitants but is part of a metropolitan area of ​​11 million, security is carried out by a specific body, the Prefecture of Police of Paris, created in 1800.

Subordinated to the Ministry of the Interior, “la PP” is responsible for the security of the population and public buildings, in addition to emergency services and issuing documents. It also has an intelligence subdivision, for the prevention of terrorism and risks in protests and major events. Its operations extend beyond Paris to the three peripheral areas of Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne.

One of the most critical moments of police action in Paris was the height of the Yellow Vests protests, which at the end of 2018 involved acts of vandalism against public heritage buildings, such as the Arc de Triomphe. First accused of failing in policing, the corporation was later criticized for the violent reaction, which included the use of rubber bullets that would have caused serious injuries, such as the loss of eyes, in dozens of people.

London, United Kingdom)

The capital of England and the United Kingdom has its own security force, the Metropolitan Police Service. Also known as Scotland Yard, it was created in 1829 and operates in Greater London, with over 9 million inhabitants.

In addition to the common attributions of preventing and repressing crimes, it is responsible for national measures to combat terrorism and for the protection of members of the royal family and government, as well as foreign authorities. It also provides security for the Palace of Westminster, the seat of Parliament.

Its commanding officer reports both to the Mayor of London, tasked with organizing policing strategy, and to the Home Secretary, due to its anti-terrorism functions. There is one area, however, that the Met Police does not take care of — the financial center, the City, jurisdiction of a specific police force, specialized in combating economic fraud.

Rome Italy)

In addition to the buildings of the Italian government, the Chamber and the Senate, the third instance of the Judiciary and embassies, the Italian capital, with almost 3 million inhabitants, still houses the Vatican City-State, seat of the Catholic Church. All of this served as a justification for changing the administrative status of the city in 2010.

Called Roma Capitale, the institution has autonomy in administrative and financial matters. The city has its own police force, the Corpo de Policia Local de Roma Capitale. In addition to maintaining urban security, its attribution is the preservation of historical and artistic heritage, with agents subordinate to the mayor.

In addition, the metropolitan area, with 4.3 million people, has an agency linked to the Ministry of the Interior, called the “prefettura”, responsible for public security. It was this body that, for example, commanded the security scheme for the funeral of pope emeritus Benedict XVI, which had the participation of police and military agents.

Washington (USA)

Since 1861, the American capital, as well as the federal district of Columbia, has had a police department with unique attributions. In addition to security for a city of less than 700,000 people, the DCPD, as it is called, is subordinate to a district authority, has federal attributions and highly specialized subdivisions. It is one of the oldest in the country.

While the DCPD can investigate crimes anywhere in the city, security at Congressional Headquarters is the responsibility of another law enforcement agency, the United States Capitol Police. It is up to the Capitol Police, primarily, to watch over the facilities, parliamentarians and visitors. On January 6, only when Trump supporters stormed the site were the district police called and headed to the building.

Buenos Aires (Argentina)

The Argentine capital is an autonomous district, federalized and separated from the province of the same name (whose capital is La Plata). With a population of 13 million, the city has recently seen the metropolitan police join forces with the local branch of the federal police. In 2017, the Police of the City of Buenos Aires, responsible for urban security, began operating. Its commander is necessarily a civilian, appointed by the municipal government.

In addition to this force, the country has, since 1991, the Interior Security System, which brings together the president, governors, members of the Legislative, the Ministers of the Interior, Defense and Justice and representatives of the police and the Army. Its objective is to determine security policies, control and support the police forces in their compliance.