The Higher Institute of Police Sciences and Internal Security (Portuguese: Instituto Superior de Ciências Policiais e Segurança Interna, ISCPSI) is a Portuguese public university-level police higher education institution of the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP). It is located in Lisbon, Portugal.

The institute is responsible for the initial and lifelong higher education of PSP police officers. It provides degree-awarding programmes in police sciences and other non-degree training programmes, and may also provide academic and technical-professional training for senior staff and managers of security forces, services and bodies, municipal police forces and other entities with responsibilities in the field of internal security.

History

The origins of the ISCPSI date back to the early 1980s. Decree-Law No. 423/82, of 15 October 1982, created the Escola Superior de Polícia within the PSP, with headquarters in Lisbon. The school was established to train the future senior police officers of the PSP and to support the progressive replacement of army officers serving in police command functions.

The creation of a police higher education school followed a wider concern with the professionalisation of the PSP's senior command structure. The original legal framework described the need for higher-level training covering legal, technical, police, cultural and physical education components, while maintaining the professional preparation required for senior police functions.

The ISCPSI is legally defined as a public university-level police higher education institution. It has legal personality and pedagogical, scientific, cultural, administrative, patrimonial and disciplinary autonomy, within the terms of its statute.

Police officer training

thumb|Oath of Honour ceremony at the ISCPSI.

The initial training programme for entry into the PSP police officer career is known as the Curso de Formação de Oficiais de Polícia (CFOP). Under the legal framework for public police higher education, the ISCPSI is responsible for providing the education required for admission to the police officer career.

The Curso de Direção e Estratégia Policial (CDEP) is a promotion course for officers in the rank of intendente and is linked to promotion to the rank of superintendente. The 2024 amendment to its legal framework provides that the course confers a postgraduate certificate in Police Direction and Strategy.

Other academic programmes

The Directorate-General for Higher Education identifies several degree programmes associated with the ISCPSI. In addition to Police Sciences and Public Security, the DGES registry includes master's programmes in areas such as Security and Justice, Security and Civil Protection, Police Sciences and Security Management, with different accreditation and operational statuses.

The use of the former convent complex links the institute to a historic urban site in Lisbon while also reflecting the adaptation of the building to police education and training functions.

Heraldry

In 2025, the Portuguese Government approved the heraldic flag of the ISCPSI. The ministerial order also describes the institute's coat of arms and its symbolism.

According to the order, the arms include a sword, two lamps, two laurel branches, a lion holding a book and the motto Victoria Discentium Gloria Docentium. The sword symbolises the strength of knowledge; the lamps represent theoretical and practical science; the laurel branches symbolise glory and dignity; the book represents knowledge and culture; and the lion symbolises power.

See also

  • Polícia de Segurança Pública
  • Higher education in Portugal
  • Law enforcement in Portugal
  • Police academy

References