The Guardia di Finanza works to safeguard the economic and financial security of the State. The overall concept of security covers two areas:
- individual safety and protection of property (maintaining order and public security);
- the freedom of the public to engage in economic activity, proper market function, correct cost distribution, protection of State revenue (maintaining economic and financial security).
The Corps plays a leading role in maintaining economic and financial security and works together with the other Police Forces in maintaining order and public security.
In 2007, the Economic and Financial Police carried out its primary task in accordance with the General Administrative and Management Directive issued by the Minister for the Economy and Finance, which identifies policy priorities and strategies to be applied in achieving operational targets.
The strategic directives for the previous year were as follows:
- Fighting tax evasion and avoidance, economic control of the national territory, fighting undeclared trade and labour, fighting illegal gambling, tax and welfare fraud and illegal trafficking.
- Prevention and suppression of frauds in the financial statements of the State, Local Authorities and the European Union;
- Protect the proper functioning of capital markets, consumer markets and the system of production.Other goals included fighting money-laundering and terrorist financing, the fight against economic crime (brand counterfeiting, audiovisual/food piracy), product safety control and the “high cost of living”phenomenon.
- Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of administration while reducing current management costs. This meant more resources available for investment without increases in overall spending.Achieving this target involved the systematic application of the Project Management model designed to optimise resources and times and to guarantee service quality.
Over 96 million person-hours were dedicated to carrying out institutional duties, with an additional 5 million hours committed to recruitment and training. |
Tax controls
