by InTrieste
Interviews: Trieste councilor for public safety policies, Caterina de Gavardo; city council member, Stefano Vatta; Walter Milocchi, Commander of the Local Police
In a ceremony attended by local officials and members of the City Council, the Municipality of Trieste officially introduced the new K-9 unit of the city’s local police force. The event, held in the presence of Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, marked the culmination of a project aimed at enhancing public safety and urban security.
Among those in attendance were Caterina de Gavardo, Councilor for Public Safety Policies; Stefano Avian, Councilor for Human Resources Policies; Walter Milocchi, Commander of the Local Police; as well as City Council members Gabriele Cinquepalmi and Stefano Vatta. Also present were Salvatore Porro, President of the VI Commission, and Francesco di Paola Panteca, President of the City Council.
The centerpiece of the event, however, was Conan, a Belgian Malinois, and his handler, Deputy Inspector Alessandro Zecchin—now the first official members of the city’s canine policing team.
“It is always important to recognize and value everyone’s efforts,” said Mayor Dipiazza. “It is thanks to the collaboration and commitment of each individual that such positive results can be achieved. Well done to everyone involved.”
Councillor de Gavardo emphasized the significance of the project, which she said had received strong backing from the city administration and the City Council’s Fratelli d’Italia group. She credited Councillor Cinquepalmi with playing a key role in supporting the initiative, including introducing a 2023 budget amendment that funded a feasibility study for the new unit.
“I am proud to have brought this project to fruition,” de Gavardo said. “It is a concrete response to the needs of our citizens and adds real value to the work of our local police force. The K-9 unit is one of several tools the municipal administration is employing to address urban decay and the sense of insecurity felt by residents.”
The new unit is expected to play a role in patrol duties, crowd control, and other specialized operations, reflecting a broader strategy to strengthen the city’s law enforcement capabilities
