Community Policing in Mexico The Framework of Resistance and Conditions of Possibility

Alejandro Fontecilla Pinto,María Eugenia Suárez De Garay

doi:10.5334/sta.ep

Alejandro Fontecilla Pinto, María Eugenia Suárez De Garay

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5334/sta.ep

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Abstract

The complex environment of insecurity, violence and crime that characterizes Mexico today renders traditional crime fighting, based exclusively on police reaction and an inquisitorial criminal system, ineffective. This was the only answer to all types of crimes for decades. For this reason, from 2011 INSYDE has been participating and exploring, in partnership with various government forces and determined voices, new ways of implementing community policing actions in Mexico and promoting reconciliation and police-community proximity. They have been encouraged by the firm conviction of the importance of our legitimate human right to safety and our desire for a more democratic, modern and citizen-focused police. This paper explores some of the findings and challenges that the community policing model presents in Mexico in order to find a place in preventive police forces.

Highlights

The complex environment of insecurity, violence and crime that characterises Mexico today renders traditional methods of fighting crime, based exclusively on police reaction and an inquisitorial criminal system, ineffective
Prevention becomes especially important in this context. In practice this implies profound changes in police institutions. It requires a cultural shift of those who make up the police, a change in the way of thinking about their mission and eventually, a profound collective reflection on what kind of police we, as Mexicans, want in a democracy
Art. 43, page 5 of 17 political and administrative environment such as Mexico, it is necessary to work on six factors (INSYDE/PCC/United States Agency for International Development (USAID) 2013) that will help to implement and strengthen this new institutional philosophy: Municipal plans and public policies Every three years local governments design the public policies and development plans for their management period

Summary

Introduction

The complex environment of insecurity, violence and crime that characterises Mexico today renders traditional methods of fighting crime, based exclusively on police reaction and an inquisitorial criminal system, ineffective. These are: Will of the local government institutions and the police force The head official of the public safety agency and the leader of the legislative body of the municipality (the mayor), should support and promote this model, but they should clearly articulate that institutional reform involves a new performance, organisation, decision-making, decentralisation and accountability culture, in addition to capacity building (training, social proximity schemes, management of information and police intelligence, operations, etc.).

Results

Conclusion