The Supreme Court ruled on Monday (13th) that municipalities cannot change the name 'Municipal Guard' to 'Municipal Police' or similar names. The decision applies to the entire country and was based on a case from São Paulo, which wanted to make this change.
Brazil's Federal Constitution establishes in article 144, paragraph 8, that municipalities may have municipal guards responsible for protecting municipal assets, services and facilities. The case originated in São Paulo, which had amended its Municipal Organic Law in 2025 to allow changing the name of the Metropolitan Civil Guard to 'São Paulo Municipal Police', but the change was suspended by state courts.
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Supreme Court ruled that municipalities cannot use the name 'Municipal Police' instead of 'Municipal Guard'
The decision was made on Monday, April 13th
The case originated with São Paulo, which amended its Organic Law in 2025 to allow the name 'Municipal Police'
The São Paulo Court had already suspended the name change in 2025
Fenaguardas filed an action with the Supreme Court challenging the São Paulo Court decision
Justice Flávio Dino was the case rapporteur
Dino based the decision on article 144, paragraph 8 of the Constitution, which establishes the name 'municipal guards'
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The vote was 9 to 2, with opposing votes from Cristiano Zanin and André Mendonça
⚠ only one source — exclusive, unconfirmed
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A specific legal thesis was established regarding the application of the term 'Municipal Guards' throughout the national territory
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