This paper aims to investigate the conflict between constitutional guarantees and repressive measures in the Sardinian Kingdom after the proclamation of the Statuto albertino. Starting from the creation of Amministrazione di Pubblica Sicurezza in the autumn 1848 and analysing the police legislation issued during the Fifties, the author examines procedures and control methods adopted to face crime and fight democratic political opposition. While the constitution brought to life a large number of guarantees for the ordinary citizen, simultaneously the police legislation found swift and forceful ways for the government to porsue criminal behaviours and political dissent with rapidity and strength, bypassing the defence of civil rights.
Keywords: Sardinian Kingdom in XIX century, police, constitutional right, Camillo Cavour, criminality, political emigration