Crime and Violence · Human Rights and Civil Society · Transparency & accountability

Senate Proposes the Creation of a Special Auditor for the Federal Police

The proposed initiative would subject branches of the Federal Police to investigations. (Photo Credit: Milenio)

02/18/12— All parties of the Mexican Senate were in support of an initiative that was presented by Senator Fernando Baeza Meléndez of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Institucional, PRI) to create a Special Auditor for the Federal Police (Auditor Especial de la Policías Federales, AEPF) as an organ of the Federal Superior Audit Agency (Auditoría Superior de la Federación), which would be responsible for supervising and evaluating the Federal Police (Policía Federal). The initiative is a direct result of one of the compromises between Congress and the Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity (Movimiento por la Paz con Justicia y Dignidad), which is headed by poet and activist Javier Sicilia, and, if passed, would amend the Law on Control and Accountability of the Federation (Ley de Fiscalización y Rendición de Cuentas de la Federación).

Among other tasks, the proposed AEPF will have the power to receive complaints about human rights abuses and misconduct by police officers, as well as have the opportunity to participate in the criminal investigations of such cases, reports La Jornada. It must also submit a semi-annual activity report to Supervisory Commission of the Supreme Audit of the Federation in the Chamber of Deputies.

The Senate also laid out requirements for people who will be serving as police auditors as a way to ensure the integrity and efficiency of the new organization. For example, each auditor will serve no more than a four-year term, must have at least seven years experience working in a related field, and must hold a bachelor’s degree in subjects related to law, criminology and/or public safety.

Senator Baeza Meléndez pointed out how important the proposal is, noting that it will seek to address the unprecedented violence and insecurity within the country at this time. He remarked “now is the time for all forces, including key groups such as the Senate, Movement for Peace with Justice and Security, diverse organizations in civil society, the educational sector, as well as the media, to accelerate and ensure the professionalism and support of the federal police.” The initiative, hopes the Senate, will also tackle the structural problems within the current police system in ways that previous reforms have failed to do.

Sources: 

“Al Congreso, iniciativa para crear Auditor Especial de las Policías Federales.” Insyde. February 9, 2012.

Becerril, Andrea and Víctor Ballinas. “Proponen en Senado creación del Auditor Especial de las Policías Federales.” La Jornada. February 9, 2012.

Mercado, Angélica. “Coinciden senadores en crear auditoría de policías federales.” Milenio. February 9, 2012.


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