how many cases are there, what crimes have they committed and what happens with the processes
The Ministry of the Interior presented a series of cases involving agents of the National Civil Police (PNC) in serious offenses, and confirmed that so far this year they have identified officers who were part of at least six criminal structuresas reported by Minister Napoléon Rojas during a press conference.
Rojas, detailed this Monday, October 24, that from January to the current date, they add up to more than 200 PNC agents sanctioned and 38 detained and made available to the courts of justice.
The official explained that a police self-purification plan is underway and that, for this, it was necessary to implement internal controls.
According to Rojas, the agents have been receiving training and the commanders have the directive to file complaints, “But the most important element is the citizen complaint”.
At the same time, he assured that when a police officer is singled out, he is sanctioned and dismissed, but “the right of the police to be heard and defeated in a trial” is respected, so that the institution does not act, as he indicated, arbitrarily. .
Crimes reported to PNC agents
Most of the complaints and arrests against the police are classified under the crimes of bribery, breach of duty and abuse of authority, Also declared during the conference, Adal Rodríguez, deputy director of Criminal Investigation of the National Civil Police.
The head of the Interior admitted that the police lose strength when the agents are dismissed, after confirming their participation in criminal acts. “Yes, it definitely comes to affect the availability of the police,” he stressed.
Other users also read: The case of the six PNC agents who would have kidnapped and asked for money in exchange for freeing a person
“The management of the PNC resource for the country is complicated. Guatemala, according to international standards, has a deficit of approximately 15,000 troops,” Rojas added. There are 42,000 police officers who “fall short” for the demand for citizen securityhe also said.
Currently, he stated that there are more than 2,000 Guatemalans in training to become agents, who could join the crews starting next year.
Most Recent Cases
A group of seven agents were captured this Monday, October 24, involved in the Treasury case, for illegal human trafficking. The Government confirmed the arrests, although it did not elaborate on how they were involved.
Furthermore, it was confirmed that two agents are under investigation for allegedly having ingested alcoholic beverages, both designated in Sololá. “It is very likely that they will be removed from their positions because it is a serious case,” the minister said about that case.
Also read: “Why are they hitting me?”: video shows alleged abuse of force by PNC agents against a driver in Santa Inés Petapa
Likewise, another fact was revealed involving police personnel in Izabal, apparently due to accepting bribes from irregular migrants. Three agents are singled out for this case, they were reported to the Public Ministry and as it is a very serious infraction, according to the authorities, it warrants their dismissal.
