Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City

Gendarme Corps of Vatican City State Corpo della Gendarmeria dello Stato della Città del Vaticano
Agency overview
Formed	1816
Legal personality	Governmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
National agency	Vatican State
Size	0,44 km²
Population	829 (2010)
Governing body	Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State
General nature	Law enforcement Gendarmerie
Operational structure
Headquarters	Vatican State
Sworn members	130 (in 2007)
Agency executive	Domenico Giani, Inspector General
Website
http://www.vaticanstate.va

The Corpo della Gendarmeria dello Stato della Città del Vaticano (English: Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City State) is the gendarmerie, or police and security force, of Vatican City. The corps is responsible for security, public order, border control, traffic control, criminal investigation, and other general police duties in Vatican City. A small number of the corps' officers travel with the pope to provide close-in security for the pontiff. The corps has 130 personnel^[1] and is a part of the Security and Civil Defense Services Department (which also includes the Vatican Fire Brigade), an organ of the Governorate of Vatican City.^[2]

Kepi of the Corps of Gendarmerie.

The corps is led by an Inspector General, currently Domenico Giani, who replaced the long-serving Camillo Cibin in June, 2006.

From 1991–2002 the police force of the Vatican City was called Corpo di Vigilanza dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, and from 1970–1991 it was known as the Central Security Office. This replaced the previous Corpo della Gendarmeria, which was founded by Pope Pius VII in 1816 and was a unit in the military of Vatican City until Pope Paul VI reduced the Holy See's military to only the Pontifical Swiss Guard.^[1]

Prior to 1970 the former Corpo della Gendarmeria wore elaborate ceremonial uniforms of nineteenth century origin, while the present-day gendarmerie wear dark blue modern police uniforms.

To qualify as a gendarme, a person must be between the ages of 20 to 25, hold Italian citizenship, and have at least two years of training in Italian policework.

Since 1977, the oratory of San Pellegrino in Vaticano serves as the chapel of the Gendarmerie. The church previously served as the chapel of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.

Separate bodies

Security in Vatican City is also provided by a separate service, the Pontifical Swiss Guard, a military unit of the Holy See, not Vatican City State. The Swiss guard are responsible for the security of the Pope, dignitaries and all papal buildings, not the Vatican.

See also

• List of countries without armed forces
• Law enforcement agency#Religious law enforcement

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Gendarme Corps". Office of the President of Vatican City State. 2007. http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Gendarme_Corps.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-15. 
2. ^ "Administrations and Central Offices". Office of the President of Vatican City State. 2007. http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Administrations_and_Central_Offices.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-15. 

External links

• Gendarme Corps from Vatican City State.