Police cultures. The construction of a collective imaginary for the guardie di Pubblica sicurezza, 1949–1960

Abstract

ABSTRACT The research intends to retrace the history of the Italian Interior Ministry police in the 1950s, by analysing all the measures, instruments and expedients adopted by the police to create its image, a self-representation with a dual purpose. On the one hand, the Interior Ministry police aimed at building a model, a concept to be proposed to the Public security guards (guardie di Pubblica sicurezza). On the other hand, it was meant to spread an image of the Interior Ministry police and its personnel within the society. Based on an examination of police training, duties, barracks life and free-time activities the article aims to reconstruct this image. It also focuses on all the welfare measures and the support provided to the police personnel and their families to enhance the esprit de corps. Moreover, the research explores the main civil, military and religious celebrations of the Interior Ministry Police. Lastly, the article analyses the role played by Polizia Moderna (the official Interior Ministry police magazine) in the creation of institutional culture and a collective imaginary for the lower-ranking personnel.