Transnational Biographies, Cosmopolitanism and Police Reform: Cristóvão Morais Sarmento and the Portuguese Police at the End of Nineteenth Century

Abstract

This article relates the transnational biography of Christóvão Morais Sarmento, Police Commissioner in Lisbon between 1867 and 1906, to understand the role of cosmopolitanism in the reform of the Portuguese public security system and the functioning of Lisbon's police. The result of a transnational biographical experience – not only on their individual pathway but also on family ties – Morais Sarmento cosmopolitanism is an essential
element to understand the changing contours of public security policies and building an organizational culture within the Portuguese police.