Their salaries aren't enough to pay the rent. And the cost of transportation, both internally and to the mainland, is too high "for those who protect citizens' safety." The regional president, Alessandra Todde, is suing the Sardinian police officers, the SIULP, the State Police Union, through its regional secretary, Giuseppe Caracciolo .

"Too often," he explains, "those who ensure the safety of citizens face organizational, logistical, and housing obstacles that undermine the efficiency and dignity of the service. It's time to intervene decisively and responsibly."

The first sore point is the housing crisis, exacerbated by the low salaries of law enforcement officers. "In Sardinia's main cities and tourist areas," SIULP reports, "rental costs and real estate prices have reached unsustainable levels. Many agents spend more than half their net income on a roof over their heads, making family stability and future planning impossible."

For this reason, the union is calling for public housing projects dedicated to uniformed personnel, agreements and incentives for access to the private real estate market, and actions to promote housing in inland areas, "countering depopulation and strengthening state control."

Another issue is transportation: "We're talking about the right to mobility, not privilege," Caracciolo continues. "Those who protect citizens' safety cannot pay an unsustainable price to travel or be reunited with their families."

For this reason, "we are calling for regional agreements with Arst and regional public transport, internal rail connections, and air travel to the Italian peninsula for family reunifications."

The union is also calling on the Region to provide "space and facilities that will allow for improved police performance. Sardinia has a Professional Training and Education Center in Abbasanta for training, but its facilities cannot handle the load. Adequate space is also needed for healthcare services: the facilities at the Cagliari Police Headquarters Health Office are cramped, insufficient, and inadequate to provide outpatient and diagnostic services for active and retired personnel, their families, and civilian Interior Ministry personnel."

The Region is expected to take "concrete and coordinated initiatives to address these critical issues, starting with the establishment of an institutional discussion forum aimed at developing shared and sustainable solutions. Targeted interventions in these areas will not only improve the living and working conditions of staff, but also strengthen security and protection of the regional territory."

(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)

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