Paul Oberjuerge: Italy's Finest?
This originally appeared in the print versions of The Sun and the Daily Bulletin. For those of you who don't read those newspapers, I'm pulling it over here.
I finally asked one of the locals, Enrico Lessona, to explain the varieties of cops on patrol here at the Turin Games.[EP
They seem to be everywhere, often handsome young guys, usually talking to each other, and always wearing elaborate, dashing, almost silly uniforms topped by a snappy hat. (Traffic cops in Rome have plumes.).[EP
The police lineup:
1. Polizia dello Stato. The dominant force here, operating all the check points outside venues. They wear dark blue coats over blue pants tucked into black boots. They often have elastic bands around their knees, and they often carefully fold their gloves inside the bands. Over the coat, they wear broad white belts with white holsters for their pistols. They also wear dark blue berets with a badge on one side and a tassel on the back. They strut more than patrol.[EP
2. Guardi di Finanza. Less stylish. Greenish uniforms with blocky, kepi-like caps. Mostly concerned with drugs and smuggling. Less hunky.[EP
3. Alpini. Actually a military unit, the mountain troops. Their uniforms are an olive green, and they wear Robin Hood-type caps, with a feather in them. Some old volunteers here have feathers in their cap. Said Enrico: ``They say you are an Alpini your whole life.’‘[EP
4. Carabinieri. Another national force, known for probity. They wear a white leather sash across their blue unis, and also have a red stripe on their trousers. Though widely beloved, they have a reputation for being more brawn than brains. A joke: What does the tumor do on the brain of a carabinieri? Die of hunger.[EP
Enrico said Italian cops are not well-paid, and police work isn’t considered a prime career. He said if his sister dated an Italian cop, though, he would prefer it be a carabinieri.
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