Gli apparati speciali di polizia dopo la caduta del regime fascista. Il caso della Sicilia (1943-45)

Abstract

The article traces the sequence of events relating to the administrative and security structures created across the provinces of Sicily immediately after the landing of Anglo- American troops in July 1943. These were rendered necessary by the total collapse of the previously existing state institutions, which was evidenced by a marked resurgence of banditry and the mafia. In the past, the Italian government had already resorted to similar measures, especially under the fascist regime. However, while these provided important models for the Allied military government, the first entity established in this period possessed wider powers than those preceding it. This was because the new Regional Directorate for Public Security in Sicily (Direzione regionale di Pubblica Sicurezza per la Sicilia) had to supplant many of the functions usually pertaining to central government authorities, but which were lacking at this time. The situation gradually began to be normalized in the months following the return of Sicily to Italy in February 1944, although the need to maintain control over a public order situation that remained serious led to the decision to prolong the use of the new security apparatus. Indeed, the Directorate and its special police forces continued to operate during the second half of the 1940s.