"The carabinieri, whose name comes from the carbine rifles they once carried, were established in 1814 by King Victor Emmanuel I of Savoy, as an Italian version of the French gendarmerie. Their distinctive two-pointed hat, the lucerna — with its bright red plume emerging from a large cockade — was their brand, and it made them positively regal. Some carabinieri still wear the lucerna, along with the ceremonial patent leather white belt, cartridge case and trimmings. Although special divisions of the carabinieri also wear khakis and blue fatigues, even these conventional paramilitary and emergency-service uniforms are much better tailored than those worn by the N.Y.P.D. Even when compared with other Italian police departments, the formality of the carabinieri projects greater dominion over the law. They carry themselves with grace and authority. Some of their garb is purely decorative (the cartridge cases and the swords are vestiges of another time), yet they look indisputably like guardians and protectors." (Steven Heller, The New York Times)
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