Who are the Carabinieri? A short guide for readers in Singapore

You may have seen them in films, in Rome, or at an embassy reception in Singapore: the Carabinieri, with their red-striped trousers and plumed hats on ceremonial days. Who are they?

Founded in 1814

The Carabinieri were founded in Turin on 13 July 1814, by the Royal Letters Patent of the Kingdom of Sardinia. From the start they had two jobs: to defend the State and to keep public order. That double role is still the key to understanding them.

A police force with military status

Since 1922 the Carabinieri have been defined as an armed force in permanent service of public security. In 2000 the Arma dei Carabinieri was made one of Italy's four armed forces, alongside the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, with its own place within the Ministry of Defence.

In practice, this means two things:

• As a police force, the Carabinieri work across Italy to protect public order and security, reporting to the Ministry of the Interior for these tasks.
• As an armed force, they contribute to the defence of the country, take part in international peace and security missions, act as military police for the Italian armed forces, and protect Italy's embassies and consulates abroad.

Symbols and traditions

The flaming grenade is the Arma's emblem. Its annual day falls on 5 June: on that day in 1920 the Arma's flag received its first Gold Medal for Military Valour. On 21 November the Carabinieri mark Virgo Fidelis, their patronal day.

How the ANC fits in

The Associazione Nazionale Carabinieri is a separate organisation. It brings together Carabinieri in service and in congedo, their families and supporters. ANC Singapore is a civilian, non-political association registered in Singapore: it is not part of the Carabinieri and has no operational role. We tell the Arma's story because it is part of who our members are.