First Serving Police Chief Takes Interior Ministry—Neves Promises Salary Reform After Storm Crisis

A Career Policeman Assumes Portugal's Interior Ministry

Luís Neves, the long-serving director of the Judiciary Police (PJ), has been sworn in as Minister of Internal Administration, marking the first time a serving police officer has taken direct political command of Portugal's entire security apparatus. The appointment follows the resignation of Maria Lúcia Amaral after the government's handling of the Kristin storm crisis drew intense public criticism.

What This Ministry Controls

The Ministry of Internal Administration oversees the services that residents interact with daily: the police forces that respond to crime, the immigration system that processes visas and residency permits, the civil protection agencies that respond to floods and fires, and the coordination of emergency services during crises. For the 1.5 million foreign nationals living in Portugal, this ministry determines how quickly visa applications are processed and how immigration policy is enforced.

Why This Appointment Matters

Neves, 56, brings 30 years of operational experience fighting violent crime, terrorism, organized gangs, and corruption. His appointment is unprecedented—no one working in active police operations has ever stepped directly into this political role. He takes office with a specific agenda: police salary reform and a data-driven approach to immigration and crime that challenges narratives linking immigration to violence.

The Police Salary Question

In recent interviews, Neves has stated plainly that current police salaries are insufficient, particularly for officers relocated from rural areas to Lisbon, where housing costs consume half their pay. "You cannot attract good people or retain them when the pay doesn't reflect the risks and demands of the job," he said in a podcast with Renascença radio.

His comments carry weight because in 2023 he secured a €600 risk supplement for PJ inspectors—a move that triggered demands from officers in the PSP and GNR for equal treatment. Labor groups are watching closely. The National Association of GNR Sergeants welcomed the appointment but set clear expectations: "for the first time, a police officer assumes political stewardship of Internal Administration," the group stated, adding hopes for "dignified salaries, valorization of military status, and restoration of rights in health, housing, transport, and pension calculations."

The PSP Officers' Union called the choice "completely atypical" and cautioned that Neves' expertise in criminal investigation—a narrow slice of the security system—may not translate into the political force needed to implement reforms across firefighting, civil protection, and border control.

A Different View on Immigration and Crime

Neves has repeatedly rejected claims linking immigration to rising violent crime, citing PJ data showing that violent crime rates are lower among immigrants than among Portuguese nationals. He distinguishes between foreigners who may commit crimes while in transit and immigrants who reside and integrate in Portugal. On serious offenses—homicides and domestic violence—Portuguese citizens account for roughly 90%, according to his statements in parliamentary hearings.

This stance places him directly at odds with the Chega party, which has vowed to subject him to "implacable parliamentary scrutiny." Through party official Rui Gomes da Silva, Chega accused Neves of downplaying immigration's role in crime and demanded action on what the party calls security failures. Neves has described such claims as "disinformation, fake news, and hybrid threats."

Socialist Party secretary-general José Luís Carneiro, himself a former Interior Minister, praised Neves as "an excellent professional" and expressed hope he would help correct what he views as false narratives on immigration and security. He noted Neves' track record during the 2023 World Youth Day, which brought 1.5 million pilgrims to Portugal without major incidents.

Bloco de Esquerda leader José Manuel Pureza offered cautious support, noting that Neves "left good indications at the Judiciary Police" fighting hate speech, but added skepticism about reconciling that work "with the political option of a government that daily legitimizes extreme-right hate speech."

A Complex Inheritance

The Ministry of Internal Administration is one of Portugal's most demanding posts, overseeing a fragmented security ecosystem vulnerable to climate crises, institutional inefficiencies, and resource constraints. Previous ministers have resigned over mismanagement and crisis response failures.

Neves inherits a substantial to-do list: career reform for police forces, unified command structures for firefighters, civil protection reorganization, and rebuilding institutional credibility after the 2022 dissolution of the SEF (Service for Foreigners and Borders). The wildfire season, flood risks, and ongoing immigration policy debates mean every security incident will face intense scrutiny.

His predecessor, Amaral, stepped down after acknowledging she no longer had the "personal and political conditions" to continue. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro had temporarily assumed the portfolio during the storm recovery period.

What Residents Should Expect

For people living in Portugal—both Portuguese citizens and foreign nationals—this appointment signals potential shifts in how security policy is enforced and how immigration is debated publicly. Faster police response times, clearer immigration procedures, and better coordination between emergency services are among the reforms Neves has indicated as priorities.

Whether Neves can deliver on these expectations while navigating a polarized parliament, managing a restive security workforce, and responding to inevitable crises will define his tenure in a role that has proven politically toxic for his predecessors.