State Surveillance and Defense Police

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State Surveillance and Defense Police (PVDE) was Portugal’s civilian police force from 1933 to 1945, created under the Estado Novo regime. It handled border surveillance, control of foreigners, immigration checks, and overall state security.

The PVDE grew from earlier agencies—the Portuguese International Police and the Political and Social Defense Police—and served as Portugal’s national police body with jurisdiction across the country.

In 1945 the PVDE was dissolved and replaced by the PIDE (Polícia de Investigação e Defesa do Estado). It operated under the Government of Portugal and focused on national border patrol, security, and state integrity.