Il Lugano Town Hall has designated Federico Chiesa as the new commander of the Lugano Police Force. He is scheduled to take office on September 1, 2026, when Chiesa will officially assume command of the city's police force, succeeding the current commander, Roberto Torrente, who will retire in June of the same year after a long career serving public safety.
The appointment comes at a significant time of transition for the Lugano Police Force, which is called upon to continue its organizational consolidation and adapt to the ongoing transformations in the urban, technological, and institutional context.
A profile with an economic and public management background
A Swiss citizen born in 1984, Federico Chiesa has a background in innovation and complex organizational management. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from SUPSI in 2010 and, two years later, a Master's degree in Economics and Business Administration from Aalborg University, Denmark. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate program as a senior official in the Cantonal Administration, pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration Management.
After initial professional experience in sales and project management, in 2016 Chiesa joined the Cantonal Administration, working in the Military and Population Section of the Department of Institutions. This move marked the beginning of a career focused on managing security, emergencies, and public operational structures.
From the Camorino Cantonal Centre to emergency management
Since 2023, Federico Chiesa has served as director of the Camorino Cantonal Multipurpose Center. In this role, he oversaw and coordinated all phases leading to the facility's opening, acting as a representative of the Department of Institutions. His responsibilities included strategic planning, coordination of project teams and subordinate staff, as well as ongoing interaction with other cantonal and federal entities.
In addition to his civilian activities, Chiesa serves in the military militia with the rank of major. He currently serves as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the 30th Mountain Infantry Battalion, a position that further strengthens his profile in leading complex structures and managing complex operational situations.
Over the past few years, Chiesa has been directly involved in managing some of the major emergencies affecting the Canton. During the humanitarian crisis linked to the conflict in Ukraine, he was responsible for planning and setting up the cantonal refugee reception center, coordinating resources and developing synergies with the various agencies involved. Previously, during the pandemic, he was the operational director of contact tracing, overseeing staff coordination, data monitoring, and process organization.
Following the disaster that struck Vallemaggia, he also shared the coordination of General Staff activities with a Cantonal Police officer, operating in a complex emergency context that required rapid decision-making and interinstitutional cooperation.
Roberto Torrente's legacy at the Lugano Police Department
The handover comes after a long leadership cycle. Roberto Torrente concludes his career after 35 years of service and nearly 22 years at the helm of the Lugano Police Force. Appointed commander in 2004, he contributed significantly to strengthening the image and efficiency of community policing, placing particular emphasis on developing the role of neighborhood officers and their integration into the urban fabric.
Under his direction, innovative tools for city security were introduced, including the Securcity project, aimed at protecting the city center and its citizens, and the implementation of video surveillance systems to support operational action.
Another key aspect of his mandate was strengthening inter-force cooperation. The City of Lugano is now the hub and coordinator of Police Region III, centralizing calls for the region's municipal police forces. This model, in synergy with the relevant forces, ensures continuous 24-hour operations.
At the cantonal and national levels, Torrente has actively participated in discussions on governance models and reforms in the sector, bringing the experience of Ticino's municipal police forces to professional contexts and relevant working groups. In Switzerland, after twice serving as president of the Society of Chiefs of Police of Swiss Cities, he has been vice president of the Foundation Board of the Swiss Police Institute since October 1, 2025, continuing to represent the operational and training needs of urban police forces at the national level.
Continuity and new challenges
With the appointment of Federico Chiesa, the Municipality entrusts the Police to Lugano To a figure with experience in public administration, managing complex structures, and coordinating crisis situations. The City Council expressed its heartfelt thanks to the current Commander, Roberto Torrente, for his work; the new Commander was wished every success in fulfilling a role that is crucial to the city's safety and cohesion.
