Directorate of security and civil protection services

1. The Directorate of Security and Civil Protection Services is responsible for security and public order, and organizes and coordinates civil protection. It includes the Gendarmerie Corps and the Fire Brigade.
2. The Commander of the Gendarmerie Corps is the Director.
3. The Directorate carries out the tasks requested by the Holy See, also with regards to the security of the Supreme Pontiff, in cooperation with the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
4. In accordance with its mandate and implementing the guidelines it receives, the Directorate manages connections needed to carry out its functions with similar structures in other States or with international police organizations.
5. The Gendarmerie Corps carries out police functions, maintains public order, guarantees the security of places and people, and crime prevention and repression inside Vatican City State and, in accordance with their legal status, in the areas mentioned in articles 15 and 16 of the Lateran Treaty.
6. The Gendarmerie Corps, due to its functions as judiciary and penitentiary police, is subject to the Judicial Authority of the State, in accordance with the State’s judicial system.
7. The Fire Brigade provides first response and fire prevention services, protecting the safety of people, places and assets. It organizes and coordinates potential civil protection volunteer activities. It cooperates with other Directorates in carrying out their functions.

(Article 12 of the Law on the Governance of Vatican City State, No. CCLXXIV of 25 November 2018).