“The issue of SIRESP needs to be resolved. We cannot systematically continue facing crisis situations where the system that should function in a crisis, which is SIRESP, ends up not functioning properly or often not at all. This problem must be a priority,” Rui Rocha stated.
The leader of the Iniciativa Liberal (IL) spoke to journalists after a meeting with the National Police Union (SINAPOL) in Lisbon, referring to the fact that the Minister of Internal Administration had admitted earlier today that the Integrated System of Emergency and Security Networks of Portugal (SIRESP) experienced “some failures” during the power supply disruption on Monday.
When questioned if he believes that solving the problems of SIRESP requires a system overhaul, Rui Rocha responded that this issue has been unresolved “for several years,” mentioning that there have been “various instances where SIRESP failed and that this could have contributed to worsening tragedy situations.”
“Therefore, a political decision needs to be made, evaluate the conditions of SIRESP, assess whether there are conditions for the service to be provided, reinforce this capability, or find another type of solution,” he stated.
According to Rui Rocha, what cannot continue is “systematically facing emergency situations without ensuring that basic communication is indeed available.”
Rui Rocha, the IL leader, mentioned that during the meeting with SINAPOL, the ‘blackout’ on Monday was also discussed. The union emphasized that if there had been a need to reinforce security forces with officers not on duty, it would have been “practically impossible.”
“There were no communications, and thus, this highlights the inadequate situation we lived through because if there had been a need to contact off-duty police officers to reinforce the numbers, it would not have happened because there was no way to contact them,” Rocha elaborated.
The IL leader argues that this demonstrates the “absolute necessity to ensure that, in future similar circumstances, communications are available.”
Apart from this issue, during the meeting with SINAPOL, Rui Rocha noted the union also expressed concerns about the working conditions of security forces, “which are insufficient and impact the ability to recruit new officers.”
“This is a national concern, as we have officers reaching retirement age, and it is absolutely necessary to restore the number of officers,” he remarked.
Moreover, Rui Rocha mentioned that one of the most discussed topics during the approximately hour-and-a-half meeting with SINAPOL was regarding the creation of a border control unit within the PSP, which he deemed “absolutely necessary” to ensure that “border mismanagement does not continue.”
“From that standpoint, there was complete alignment with the SINAPOL’s position and a commitment from the IL to promote, in the next legislature, and support the measures that bring about the creation within the PSP of an absolutely indispensable border unit,” he concluded.
