4 The performance of Mussolini’s policemen
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Jonathan Dunnage
Abstract
As part of its design to empower and restructure the police, the fascist regime aimed to deal with what it saw as a legacy of decades of disorganisation, neglect and malpractice left by the liberal state. Such intentions undoubtedly appealed to many of those in the Interior Ministry Police who had campaigned for an institutional overhaul. The fascist drive to 'clean up' the police was marked by a significant increase in inspections and investigations. The personal files of policemen stationed at Siena reveal a significant correlation between infractions and welfare problems, which, in the context of the economic ups and downs of the inter-war period, were fairly common, particularly in the lower ranks. In spite of the institution of a more rigid vetting system that would appear to reflect fascist ideological requisites, there is little evidence that the quality of recruits to the police improved under Benito Mussolini.
Abstract
As part of its design to empower and restructure the police, the fascist regime aimed to deal with what it saw as a legacy of decades of disorganisation, neglect and malpractice left by the liberal state. Such intentions undoubtedly appealed to many of those in the Interior Ministry Police who had campaigned for an institutional overhaul. The fascist drive to 'clean up' the police was marked by a significant increase in inspections and investigations. The personal files of policemen stationed at Siena reveal a significant correlation between infractions and welfare problems, which, in the context of the economic ups and downs of the inter-war period, were fairly common, particularly in the lower ranks. In spite of the institution of a more rigid vetting system that would appear to reflect fascist ideological requisites, there is little evidence that the quality of recruits to the police improved under Benito Mussolini.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- Preface and acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 ‘Cinderella status’ 8
- 2 The ‘fascistisation’ of police culture 37
- 3 Oppression and consensus-building 78
- 4 The performance of Mussolini’s policemen 104
- 5 Personal profiles 135
- 6 Facing the demise of fascism 166
- 7 Conclusion 206
- Select bibliography 223
- Index 229
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- Preface and acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 ‘Cinderella status’ 8
- 2 The ‘fascistisation’ of police culture 37
- 3 Oppression and consensus-building 78
- 4 The performance of Mussolini’s policemen 104
- 5 Personal profiles 135
- 6 Facing the demise of fascism 166
- 7 Conclusion 206
- Select bibliography 223
- Index 229
