Court Says Military Police Can't Have Lovers - CARABINIERI HISTORY

[Bianca]

CARABINIERE IN DRESS UNIFORM








                                  Italy court says Military Police (CARABINIERI ) can't have lovers





Tue Jun 17, 2008
ROME (Reuters) - Italy's highest court has ruled that the nation's paramilitary police, the Carabinieri, must not have extra-marital affairs to avoid sullying the Force's (L'ARMA) name.
 
The ruling stemmed from one Carabiniere's appeal against a lower court ruling sentencing him to four months in jail for insulting and threatening to throw a desk at his boss, who had asked the policeman to break off an affair with a married woman.

Italy's Court of Cassation agreed that any affair is a private matter, but noted that the military police were called to "exemplary conduct and could not bring discredit to the armed forces with extra-marital relationships".

The Carabinieri, Italy's gendarmerie, are the most prominent of several national police forces. Their motto is


                                                        "Faithful Through The Centuries".



(Reporting by Deepa Babington; Editing by Giles Elgood)

[Bianca]

[Bianca]

[Bianca]

                                 C O R P S    O F    T H E    R O Y A L    C A R A B I N I E R I






The ancient Corps of the Royal Carabinieri...

was instituted in Turin by the King of Sardinia, Vittorio Emanuel l, by Royal Warrant on 13th July, 1814.

It was given the dual function of national defence, in first position with respect to other branches of the Armed Forces, and policing with special powers and prerogatives.

The Carabinieri Force was issued with a distinctive uniform in dark blue with silver braid around the collar and cuffs, edges trimmed in scarlet and epaulets in silver, with white fringes for the mounted division and light blue for infantry. The characteristic hat with two points was popularly known as the "lucerna".

A version of this uniform is still used today for important ceremonies.

The Force was given a territorial task and was organized into divisions, one for each province. They were called Companies and sub-divided into Lieutenancies which commanded and coordinated the local police stations, and were distributed throughout the national territory in direct contact with the public.

The mounted division "Corazzieri" was formed in 1868 as an escort of honour and security, first for the Sovereign, and since 1946 for the President of the Republic.

With the Unity of Italy and added territory, the number of divisions were increased and responsible to operating commands, called territorial legions. On 24th January, 1861 the Force was appointed "First Force"
of the newly founded national military organization, rising to the status of Armed Force on 31st March, 2000. This privileged position, as well as the presence of Carabinieri in every part of the country, even in the smallest village, were and still are the most significant characteristics of the Institution.

[Bianca]

The Carabinieri Force has taken part...



... in all the events in the story of the United Italy. It was at the baptism of fire in Grenoble on 6th July 1815 that divisions of mounted Carabinieri charged Napoleon's army, and contributed to the favourable outcome of the battle.
On 30th April 1848 at Pastrengo, during the First War of Independence, they forced the enemy to retreat after an epic charge and the Colours of the Force were awarded the first Silver Medal for Military Valour. Subsequently, the first Bronze Medal for Military Valour was awarded for participation in the conflict at Verona, the second for Staffalo, Somma Campana, Custoza, Valeggio, Milan and Peschiera.

In 1855 they participated in the Crimean War distinguishing themselves both in the battle of Cernaia and in the aid administered to the local population and military who had been struck by a cholera epidemic.

In 1859 they were involved in the Second War of Independence in first line action as well as providing intelligence regarding the exact movements of the enemy.

During the course of the campaign for the unity of Italy between 1860 and 1861, they participated in the battle for the capture of Perugia on 14th September 1860 together with army unit under the command of General De Sonnaz positioned at St. Anthony's Gate. They were also involved in battle from 29th October to 4th November 1860, near Garigliano and Mola di Gaeta.

In 1866, during the Third War of Independence, they distinguished themselves on 24th June in the defence of the bridge at Monzambano on the Mincio River; in a charge at Mount Croce during the battle of Custoza; from 6th to 18th July in the siege of the Austrian Forts of Motteggiana, Bocca di Ganda, Rocchetta and Centrale (Mantova); and finally in battle from 6th - 22nd July in Condino (Trento) and Primolano (Vicenza). In 1870 they were involved in the campaign for the annexation of Rome.

[Bianca]

In 1895-1896 during the campaign in Eritrea they participated in conflicts in Coatit and Senafè, 13th - 16th January 1895; Makallè, 7th - 20th January 1896; Cassala, on 22nd February 1896; Adigrat, 1st March to 4th May, 1896; battle of Adua, lst March 1896.

In the war between Italy and Turkey, 1911-1912, they were involved in military action especially noteworthy at Sciara-Sciat (23-24 October 1911) and Due Palme (12th March, 1912), for which the Colours were conferred with the Silver Medal for Military Valour.

In 1915 at the outbreak of the First World War Carabinieri were mobilized into Units and Special Branches and sent to all the fronts in the khaki uniform of the infantry, sharing the hardship of the trenches and the hope and glory of victory. Incorporated into the Third Armed Force, they participated in the particularly bloody assault at Podgora on 19th July, 1915. Equally generous was their contribution in the battles of Isonzo, Carso and Piave Rivers, and on Sabotino and San Michele. In the pursuit of the enemy above Isonzo it was the two Carabinieri squadrons attached to Supreme Command, which had the honour of being the first to enter Gorizia on 9th August, 1916.

As a testimony to the dedication and great sacrifice made by the Carabinieri, 1,423 were killed and 5,254 injured during the course of the conflict. On 5th June, 1920 the Colours of the Carabinieri were conferred with the first Gold Medal for Military Valour, and to commemorate the occasion, the anniversary of the foundation of the Force is celebrated every year on that date.

Between 1935 and 1936 Carabinieri were involved in front line action in East Africa in military operations in Malca Cuba, on 2nd February 1936 and in Gunu Gadu on 24th April 1936. At the end of the campaign the Colours of the Carabinieri were embellished, for the first time with the Knights Cross of the Italian Military Order.
In the Second World War, the Carabinieri Force was once again mobilized in all operational zones from the African deserts to the Balkan front as well as the Russian front. Especially noteworthy was the Carabinieri Third Battalion which was involved in action at Klisura on the Greek-Albanian front from 16th to 30th December, 1940, and for which the Colours were conferred with a Bronze Medal for Military Valour, and for action on the Albanian-Yugoslav front at Cafe Struga on 18th April, 1941.

Then, in East Africa in the defence of Culqualber from August to November 1941, the Mobilized Carabinieri Battalion had the honour of being mentioned in Supreme Command war Dispatch no. 539:

………in the great conflict they gloriously distinguished themselves, a symbol of courage from national detachments, the Battalion of the Royal Carabinieri, even when their ammunition was depleted continued their furious counterattacks to the very end.

Almost all of them were lost in action.

[Bianca]

As a result the Colours of the Carabinieri were conferred with the second Gold Medal for Military Valour. For the part they played on the Russian front a further Silver Medal for Valour was awarded.

After 8th September, 1943, while Italy was being attacked by the allied forces, and occupied by German forces, the Carabinieri Force adopted two important measures:
- The institution: "Carabinieri Command for Liberated Italy", in the southern region, as the central force behind the restoration of the chain of command, and the constitution of new units mobilized for the War of Liberation which were assigned to the "Italian Liberation Force" and "Combat Groups". The three companies participated in the bloody battles at Cassino and Bologna and in the successive military operations until the country was completely liberated.

- The organization of the Resistance of territories occupied by the Germans both by establishing units and by placing volunteers Carabinieri units in the other groups.

Amongst the various units solely made up of military from the Force, we remember the Carabinieri units which formed part of the "Garibaldi" Italian Partisans Division deployed in Yugoslavia who for their bravery, the war Carabinieri flag was awarded the Silver Medal for Military Valour.

In total, 13,850 military of all ranks of the Carabinieri Force participated in the Resistance movement and for their contribution the Colours were assigned the third Gold Medal for Military Valour in a decree dated 2nd June, 1984. The Carabinieri Force was involved in many recorded episodes and acts of bravery but the following deserve a special mention: units participating in the defence of Rome at St. Paul's Gate, Magliana and Moneterotondo; Vice Brigadier Salvo d'Acquisto who voluntarily gave his life to save 22 hostages at Palidoro, Rome; La Rocca, Marandola and Sbarretti, Carabinieri and partisans, who gave up their lives in exchange for 10 hostages.

During the Second World War in the Carabinieri Force 4,618 were killed, 15,124 injured and 578 lost in action. Of these, 2,735 killed and 6,521 of the injured were fighting for the Resistance.

[Bianca]

Since the middle of the nineteenth century the Carabinieri Force...



 ... has acquired an international dimension. This has been achieved by its traditional professionalism and its role as a military organization with civil policing functions for immediate response in protection in states of emergency. In particular, it has been involved in overseas peacekeeping operations in contingents of Italians as well as in alliance with other nations, autonomously assisting in the reconstruction of the forces of law and order and in associated training programmes.

These activities began with the dispatch of 52 Carabinieri to the Crimea in 1855-6 who carried out an exemplary task in establishing public order and aiding and assisting in the cholera epidemic. The long experience gained by the Institution has made it an organizational reference point for its structural, technical-operational and ethical-professional expertise.

In 1883 four Carabinieri were sent to Assab on the Red Sea to protect Italians nationals working in bureaus in that area which was to eventually become the Eritrea Colony in 1890.

Between 1897 and 1906 the Force was present on the island of Crete to maintain public order, to oversee the conflict between the Christian population against the Ottoman Empire, and to organize a local, efficient, impartial police force modelled on the Carabinieri structure.

From 1900 to 1914 a contingent was sent to Peking to guarantee the security of the Italian Legation during the disorder resulting from the famous "Boxers" revolt.

[Bianca]

Carabinieri Officers organized a police force for the Ottoman Government in Macedonia from 1904 to 1911.

In 1909, the Chilean government requested instructors for the "Cuerpo de Carabineros de Chile" and Warrant Officers Torquato Cremonesi and Felice Riva served to the completion of the mission in 1911.

From 1912 to 1923, after the success of the mission on the island of Crete, officers of the Force were sent to Athens to organize a Greek version of the Gendarmerie. Also in 1912, after the temporary Italian occupation of the Dodecanese Islands, Carabinieri were posted and remained until 1943.

Between 1918 and 1923 the Force was involved in peacekeeping duties in Constantinople and Anatolia after the fall of the Ottoman Empire until the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey.

From 1913 to 1922 the Carabinieri were also in Albania for the reorganization of the Gendarmerie after the fall of Ottoman domination.

From 1917 to 1921 a Carabinieri Department was assigned to the British Expedition serving in Palestine against the Ottomans, and was responsible for the protection of the civilian population, victims of racial discrimination, in some particularly volatile areas. In 1919 this organization assumed the name "Italian Carabinieri Attachment in Jerusalem", and was given, amongst other duties, the charge of Guard of Honour of the Holy Sepulchre.
In 1917 Major Cosma Manera masterminded a mission carried out in phases: the research, evacuation and repatriation of 10,000 Italian prisoners in Russia who had been incorporated into the Austrian-Hungarian army and who had been fighting in occupied areas.

From 1921 to 1936 an attachment of 20 men were on duty in San Marino until the constitution of the local police force.

In 1935, the Carabinieri Force incorporated in the International Police Corps, was assigned control of 81 of
the 320 electoral seats for the return to Germany of the Saar Region, also reclaimed by France.

From 1950 to 1958 a group of Carabinieri, part of AFIS (Amministrazione Fiduciaria Italiana in Somalia) was sent by the United Nations to Somalia with the task of organizing and training the local police force as well
as general peacekeeping duties.

The long list of Carabinieri missions abroad does not end here because, from 1979 with the Multinational UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, Carabinieri were and are still present in those troublesome areas of the world
where they are called to defuse tension and provide dignified and secure living conditions.

Currently there are over 1000 Carabinieri serving in overseas missions.

Since 1855, the Carabinieri Force, as previously illustrated, has had a long tradition in its participation in humanitarian and peacekeeping duties abroad, and has taken an active role in the evolution of these operations by direct intervention in the most significant missions conducted by the United Nations, NATO, OSCE and in Multinational Forces.

As well as the traditional military role, human rights, assistance and consultancy in the reconstruction of policing, the implementation of law and order duties have been carried out.

Particularly significant in the sector of law and order is the role being carried out in the Balkans by MSU (Multinational Specialised Unit) a part of the NATO mission designed to bridge the security gap between the military whose troops are not equipped to deal with the problems of public order and safety, and the civilian police forces, either UN or local, untrained to intervene in public order operations.

This capability of intervening in different situations, together with perfect interface with other military forces makes MSU an instrument not only useful in the NATO environment but also in any future possible European Union operation. As a result of the experience gained by the Carabinieri MSU, the European Union has approved the institution of an Integrated Police Unit, which can be immediately deployed, flexible and inter-operational with the military to be used for humanitarian aid, peacekeeping and in natural disasters as laid down in the EU directive "Petersburg" after the meeting held there in June 1992.

The following are the principal missions in which the Carabinieri Force has taken part over the past ten years:

[Bianca]

[Bianca]

a. UN,EU,OSCE Missions or multinational/bilateral agreements



There were 10 representatives present from 7th August 1991 to 30th April 1995 and from 27th July 1995 to 31st December 2001 in the ONUSAL mission (United Nations Operation in San Salvador), and in MINUGUA (United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala), instigated by the United Nations for the verification of the peace agreement signed by the Governors of Salvador and Guatemala and by the opposition guerrilla movement and to protect the human rights of the local populations.

At the same time as the mission in San Salvador, after the signing of the peace treaty in Cambodia, the United Nations instigated UNTAC (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia) in July 1992 for a period of twelve months. Italy participated in this mission with 80 members of the Carabinieri Force who carried out peacekeeping and supervision of the local policing with authority to carry out independent investigations and control and supervision of the electoral system.

Since 1994 the Carabinieri Force has been present as part of a police contingent, set up by UEO countries, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, (UEOPOL) to organize, train and supervise the Croatian and Muslim police in the Mostar area. They also form part of the IPTF (International Police Task Force) of the United Nations with the task of assisting and reorganizing the local police force.

The Force is also currently present in Bosnia as part of the EUPM (European Union Police Mission), which since 1st January 2003, substituted IPTF. In this first European Union mission there are 22 members on the Task Force staff and in the international police stations situated in the Croatian-Muslim territory as well as in the Serbian Republic of Bosnia.

In Kosovo, Carabinieri have been operating with 16 members in the KVM (Kosovo Verification Mission) of OSCE, and between 1998 and 1999 were directly responsible for the maintenance of peace at the end to hostility and cease fire, for negotiation with politicians regarding the return of refugees to their homes, and ensuring free access to humanitarian organizations.

The Force has been present on numerous missions in Albania. As part of the Multinational Protection Force it has been responsible for the security of the OSCE observers in their supervision of the electoral system. Twelve Officers and NCO's took part in the European Union initiative MAPE (Multinational Advisory Police Element) which carried out assistance, consultancy and training duties for the Albanian police. In November 1997, the Italian Ministry of the Interior set up an inter-force police mission. This mission ended in December, 2001. The purpose of the mission was to involve the Albanian police more decisively, particularly in the collaboration of the reorganization of their Force and in the development of the joint fight against crime and illegal immigration by the two countries.
A similar mission was then set up with the D.I.E. (Italian Delegation of Experts) between the Italian and Albanian Ministries of Defence and since 1998 the Force has the task of reconstructing and training the military police, and has recently been nominated as the model for a new police organization, the Albanian State Guard, and further assistance and consultancy services will be given.

The Force plays a very important part in Palestine in the role of observers. There are 17 members in the multinational TIPH (Temporary International Presence in Hebron) mission, based in the city of Hebron since January 1996, with the task of supervising the application of the agreement signed by Israel and the PLO in the difficult and delicate process of Arab-Israeli peace with special responsibility for patrolling and observing for any possible violation of fundamental human rights.

Since 28th September 1988, the Force has participated in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) acting as international military police. Two units are presently based in Naqura and form part of the Multinational Military Police Organization responsible for the security of traffic in and out of headquarters, general traffic control, escorts and vehicle convoys, assistance at road accidents and policing and control of all cross border movements to and from Israel. This organization exercises authority over all UNIFIL personnel and associated civilians. It is commanded by a Provost Marshal, a rank equivalent to Lt. Col., and is the Military Police Commander.

In Africa the Force has participated under the United Nations flag in mission ONUMOZ (United Nations Operation in Mozambique) and UNOSOM (United Nations Operation in Somalia) beginning in the early nineties with a military policing duty and with personnel employed on national and international Central Command Staff until November 2000, when it joined the UNMEE (United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea). The Force has recently been given overall responsibility for the entire national contingent made up of a company of international military police and staff personnel.

In Indonesia, 33 Carabinieri parachutists participated in INTERFET (International Force in Eastern Timor) from September 1999 to March 2000. This mission, requested by the UN Security Council, followed incidents of civil unrest on the island and involved the task of restoring peace and security in the area as well as helping in the humanitarian operation for the local population.

Finally, the Force has recently participated in the United Nations ISAF mission, (International Security and Assistance Force) in Afghanistan with a Platoon of Carabinieri Parachutists for the defence of the multinational Central Command, a number of national military police, and an Officer, Provost Marshal who is a member of Central Command Staff. A Special Intervention Group of the Carabinieri has been designated the task of guarding the former Sovereign, Zahir Shah, who returned to Afghanistan on 18th April 2002 after more than thirty years of exile in Italy.

[Bianca]

b. NATO Missions



The NATO mission in the Balkans has constituted the most significant operational and logistic task of the Force since the beginning of the IFOR mission (Implementation Force) discharging, not only the duties of military police, but also operational tasks involving the Carabinieri Parachutists Regiment "Tuscania". Since August 1998, Carabinieri troops are alongside the traditional military organization in Bosnia with an MSU (Multinational Specialized Unit), which is part of the SFOR (Stabilisation Force). The tasks of this Special Unit at regimental level consists of public security, assistance in the return of refugees, implementation of local government structures elected by minority groups as well as a contribution in the management of the critical situation regarding law and order in coordination with the IPTF.

The gratifying results obtained by MSU and SFOR, in the "Allied Harbour" Mission resulted in the request for a similar operation in Albania, MSU AFOR, which was operational from 19th April to 1st September 1999. The MSU AFOR reported directly to NATO on par with MSU SFOR and operated in the entire Albanian territory.

Since 4th August 1999 a further MSU Regiment has been deployed in the NATO force in Kosovo, KFOR. This Unit, as well as carrying out security tasks by patrolling selective, highly sensitive areas and maintaining public law and order, is working in collaboration with the UN Police in the field of criminal investigation and intelligence in the UNMIK mission (United Nations Mission in Kosovo).

The success of MSU in Bosnia has generated interest from countries both inside and outside of Europe, and requests to contribute personnel to the Unit, thereby augmenting the multinational bond and contributing in the international leadership position of the Force in the maintenance of law and order and security in areas of conflict.

Finally, since 2001 the Force participated in NATO missions in Macedonia as military police and in intelligence which has been necessary for the disarming of the UCK (Kosovo Liberation Army) and in the stabilising process of the country. With the same task, an Officer of the Carabinieri Force is on duty in Albania, attached to the General Headquarters established by NATO in July 2002, to act as their negotiator with the Albanian government and to monitor communications with Kosovo.

[Bianca]

                                             International Police Cooperation





Over the past ten years the traffic of organized crime... 



... has become more concentrated on an international level. Consequently, an efficient structure is required to deal with this situation.

As such, the international community is working towards closer collaboration in order to fight the new threat of crime together using communal resources.

The Carabinieri Force has taken specific initiatives following guidelines on cooperation from the Ministries of Defence and Internal Affairs to collaborate in association with other national military and police organizations in order to export national intelligence gained from experience in organized crime.
The exchange of information on personnel training and recruitment, organization and new technologies has been intensified with police forces and military organizations in other countries utilizing experience already gained in previous cooperation initiatives with the National Gendarmerie in France and the Civil Guard in Spain in 1994.

This has resulted in the formalization of the FIEP Agreement (France, Italy, Spain and Portugal) involving the French Gendarmerie, Spanish Civil Guard, Portuguese Republican National Guard, Turkish Gendarmerie, Dutch Koninklijke Marechaussée and Moroccan Gendarmerie.

At the same time, technical bilateral agreements were signed with the Rumenian Gendarmerie, the Internal Military Troops of the Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Qatar, the National Gendarmerie in Argentina and the Carabineros in Chile, with the objective of amplifying experience in the fields of training, formation, information technology, public relations and public relations.

With regard to international police cooperation, the Carabinieri Force has followed the guidelines as laid down by the Ministry of the Interior in Article 6, Act no. 1, letter g, of 1st April 1981, no.121.

[Bianca]

The course of action taken has been directed principally towards the intensification in the exchange of information regarding emergent criminality, identification of the best operating procedures, the spread of investigative experience with maximum effectiveness as well as research into the proposal to make national legislation homogeneous.

Officers of the Force are involved in G8 Groups, "Terrorism Experts" and "Di Lione" - subgroup "Law Enforcement", in working groups as required by the Schengen Agreement for the development of "Acquis Communautaire" as well as in all the police cooperation activities of the Justice and Internal Affairs Third Pillar of the European Union.

The Force is directly involved in the European Police Department, Europol, whose international branch is studying emergent crime as a priority, and is presently setting up a system for the exchange of data between the investigative structures of each individual member state.

In this important sector Officers of the Carabinieri are employed as experts in the AWF (Analysis Work File) concerned with organized crime, illegal immigration from Eastern European countries and terrorism. The Carabinieri Special Operations Group has recently activated, on behalf of Europol, an Operating Project between member states, MSOP (Member State Operational Project) to develop international cooperation against organized crime involving the illegal trafficking of human beings. This procedure permits the exchange, in real time, of useful investigative data from other European member states and in countries which have applied to become members, and the ability to share operating strategies. The original concept anticipated the realization of a joint team investigative squad made up of personnel from Europol and national police forces for the development of investigations against crime organizations active in European countries.

Europol has a Carabinieri Officer attached to the Italian desk, two Carabinieri Officers at the Analysis Department and a Carabinieri Officer attached to the anti-terrorist cell, SC5, at the Serious Crimes Department.

Carabinieri are also on duty in Liaison Offices in Bar, Montenegro and Tirana, Albania, whilst other Officers are employed as anti-drug experts in Bolivia, Columbia, Morocco, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Hungary and Pakistan. Interpol Liaison Offices have been activated and assigned to officers
of the Carabinieri Force in Peking, China; Sophia, Bulgaria; Athens, Greece; and Canberra, Australia.

[Bianca]

The contribution of the Carabinieri in the bi-annual meetings of the European "Police Chief Task Force" has been significant and attended by the Carabinieri Commander General and the Chief of Police. They have also participated in the Police Cooperation and Terrorism Groups, as well as in the many meetings on different subjects instigated by Community organizations to promote the exchange of knowledge, experience and cooperation between police organizations of the individual States.

The professionalism and integrity of the Force has been formerly recognized by the European Union Commission through its "PHARE" Programmes designed to evaluate factors concerning candidate countries entering the EU. These factors include such fundamental sectors as control of borders, organization of the Police Force, the fight against environmental organized crime and illegal recycling and corruption. As such, a senior Officer of the Carabinieri has been assigned to the group of experts with the task of examining and verifying the institutional structure of Lithuania and Latvia at the Schengen contents.

The Carabinieri Force also participates in international cooperation through OIPC, (International Organization of Crime Police - Interpol) by attaching personnel to the Police International Cooperation Service reporting to the Department of Public Security - Head Office of the Crime Unit, as well as attached to the General Secretariat. The Service is made up of 5 Divisions, the 2nd and the 3rd represents, in particular, the Italian structure of Interpol.

Finally, an Officer of the Carabinieri is assigned to OLAF (European Anti-Fraud Office) as Assigned National Expert in the prevention and fight against Euro counterfeiting. Even though this cooperation was in compliance with the First Pillar, European Union Directives, and not the Third Pillar, European Justice and Internal Affairs, it still permitted the Force to provide the European member countries with its considerable experience acquired in its own specialized field.

Cooperation in the ENFSI (European National Forensic Science Institute's Work Groups) is particularly noteworthy. The Carabinieri Scientific Investigation Department compete with other European forensic institutes in research and experimentation for the most modern techniques in scientific investigation.