In 1990 the Fiscal Guard (Guarda Fiscal; also known as Treasury Police) was a border control force of 8,500 charged with customs inspections and the collection of import duties. In addition, they investigated smuggling, tax evasion, and illegal financial transactions, particularly those involving importexport businesses and currency exchange. Most of its uniformed and plainclothes police were stationed at frontier crossing points, ports, and terminals of entry. Their monitoring of entries and departures by foreigners also produced a flow of information needed by internal security agencies. The Maritime Police had functions similar to a coast guard service. The Judicial Police, responsible to the minister of justice, acted in conjunction with the court system in investigating crimes, particularly those involving subversion and terrorism, and preparing cases for prosecution.

Data as of January 1993

NOTE: The information regarding Portugal on this page is re-published from The Library of Congress Country Studies and the CIA World Factbook. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Portugal Other Police Forces information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Portugal Other Police Forces should be addressed to the Library of Congress and the CIA.