Naples – One hundred and sixty-five years of history, an exponentially growing workload, but a staff structure that remains dramatically understaffed. On the occasion of the celebrations for San Sebastiano Martire, patron saint of the Local Police, the Commander of the Naples Municipal Police, General Ciro Esposito, drew a mixed review that captures a reality marked by operational excellence and structural challenges.
The numbers of the emergency
The most critical fact emerges directly from the Commander's words: to ensure optimal service coverage in a complex metropolis like Naples, approximately a thousand men are missing. This gap weighs heavily on those currently on duty, forced to work incessant shifts to meet the demands of a city increasingly playing a leading role on the international stage.
"The organization we've established is still able to make up for the staff shortage," Esposito explained on the sidelines of the celebrations, "but it's undeniable that we're short about a thousand people to operate at full capacity."
A record 2025
Despite the staffing shortage, the 2025 figures reveal an extremely active police force. Last year saw over 90 major events (including demonstrations, concerts, and international events) requiring the total deployment of over 6.500 officers.
On the road safety and urban decorum front, the balance is equally impressive:
500.000 fines issued for violations of the Highway Code;
Constant monitoring of nightlife in the city's hot areas;
Fight against the uncontrolled occupation of public land;
Management of traffic related to the numerous yards redevelopment projects opened throughout the city.
The weight of everyday life
Beyond extraordinary events, the Municipal Police remains the primary enforcer of law and order in the area for matters that directly affect citizens' lives. The challenge for 2026, which began under the banner of this important anniversary, will be to maintain high operational standards while waiting for the reopening of competitive exams or new hiring plans to finally fill the gap of thousands of uniforms that, today, is felt more acutely than ever.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
It's interesting to note how the municipal police force faces such a severe staff shortage. However, despite the difficulties, they manage to manage incidents and maintain order in the city, which is a positive result.