Some municipal police forces in Italy trace historical origins to the vigili urbani and comes stabili of ancient Rome.

These are bodies that are established by Italian local authorities and the central functions of municipal police are administrative in character, including traffic control and responsibilities relating to licenses and urban regulations.

These include: Each commune has slightly different uniforms and equipment, unlike the state's police forces, as each Polizia Municipale is controlled locally, not by central government.

Most vehicles are equipped with blue flashing beacons, or a lightbar, sometimes a spotlight and a two-tone (hi-lo) siren (sirena), as well as a radio.

[7][8] This is generally worn in a pistol holster on a belt, or slung from a tunic pocket flap, often on the left-hand side in Italian fashion, to allow for cross-draw of the weapon.

The local police regulations approved by the city council may also provide for the provision of defensive tactical tools and aids that cannot be classified as weapons, such as the OC anti-aggression spray and extendable batons.