The upcoming leadership change at the top of San Marino’s police corps must be handled with a focus on merit, competence and transparency. This is the position expressed by Libera, which has weighed in on the future of the Gendarmerie, the Guardia di Rocca and the Civil Police in light of the announced departure of Gendarmerie Commander Maurizio Faraone and the approaching retirement of the other two commanders, Massimo Ceccoli and Werter Selva.
“Security and public order are fundamental values for a community, and on this front San Marino boasts levels rarely found elsewhere: a result of the daily work of the Gendarmerie, the Guardia di Rocca and the Civil Police, three corps different in history and structure but united by the same mission of protecting citizens and institutions,” reads Libera’s statement.
The first change will concern the Gendarmerie. “The Commander of the Gendarmerie, General Maurizio Faraone, has expressed his intention to end his service, opening a delicate chapter,” the party reports. Libera notes that Faraone has headed the Interpol Office since 2007 and has commanded the corps since 2015, highlighting the network of relationships he has built with foreign police forces. “He deserves praise and sincere thanks for the commitment and dedication shown throughout all these years: a wealth of experience and connections that represents a valuable asset for our system and deserves to be carried forward.”
The issue, however, does not concern the Gendarmerie alone. “This is not an isolated case, though. The Commanders of the Guardia di Rocca, Dr. Massimo Ceccoli, and of the Civil Police, Dr. Werter Selva, are also nearing retirement eligibility,” the statement continues. Libera then recalls the evolution of the Guardia di Rocca’s functions, including in investigative and public order matters, as well as those of the Civil Police, which has over time taken on judicial police duties as well.
The prospect, then, is one of a near-simultaneous turnover at the helm of all three corps. “Within a short period of time, therefore, the Republic will find itself having to renew the leadership of all three corps overseeing the territory at the same time, each having grown over the years toward increasingly specialised expertise. An important juncture for San Marino’s entire security system, one that must be handled while preserving and strengthening the identity and distinctive traits each corps has developed over time,” Libera stresses.
The party also links this phase to investments in security infrastructure, pointing to the unblocking of the Security Hub (Polo della Sicurezza). “The operations centre will no longer be located at the Kursaal, but will instead find space in the former Forcellini building,” the statement reads. According to Libera, the move will both free up space within the congress centre and provide the Gendarmerie and other offices with a operational headquarters suited to future needs.
On the organisational front, Libera insists on the need to preserve distinct identities and areas of competence, avoiding overlap. “The Gendarmerie, the Guardia di Rocca and the Civil Police are three fundamental pillars of the Republic’s security system, each with its own identity, specific competencies and clear responsibilities. This structure must continue to be based on a clear definition of the functions assigned to each corps, avoiding overlaps while ensuring full cooperation in the interest of the country’s security.”
It is above all on the upcoming appointments, however, that the party issues its sharpest political appeal. “For this reason, faced with such a close succession of top figures, the choice of the new commanders cannot be left to chance, nor to considerations unrelated to merit. What is needed is integrity, competence and authority equal to what has been shown so far: qualities that are recognised, not assigned,” Libera states.
Finally, the party points to the regulations governing each corps and the ethical standards of public service as the tools through which the new leadership should be identified “with the utmost transparency.”
