Many Mexican Police Deemed Incompetent to Deal with Nationwide Crackdown on Drugs

By Maria E. Molina
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

MEXICO CITY, Mexico - Almost half of Mexican police officers examined this year have failed background and security tests, a figure that rises to nearly nine of 10 officers in the border state of Baja California, the government reported.

Nationwide, 49% of officers scored "not recommendable" on the tests, compared with 42% that rated "recommendable." In Baja California about 89% of officers failed background and security tests while only 4% were judged "recommendable."

The tests -- which involved lie detectors, drug tests, psychological profiling and tests of personal wealth -- were intended to root out corrupt, incompetent and unfit officers.
Mexico's poorly trained and underpaid police are widely viewed as incompetent, and corruption has hampered campaigns against drug smuggling gangs.

Because police are still too corrupt to take over the nationwide crackdown on drugs, the country's leaders have urged the use of the army to proceed with the crackdown. Over 20,000 soldiers have been deployed across Mexico. As drug cartels lash back at the army and each other, violence has escalated and resulted in the deaths of 4,300 individuals.

In a human rights report to the United Nations, the Mexican army stated that it will eventually leave the fight against drug trafficking.  However, officials have not set a firm date for the start of the withdrawal.  The National Human Rights Commission says some of them have tortured, raped and even killed civilians.

For more information, please see:

Mail Online - Half of my country's police aren't up to the job, says Mexican president locked in bloody fight with drug cartels - 28 November 2008

News Agency Trend News - Mexico’s Spreading Drug Violence - 28 November 2008

The Star - Calderon deems half of police force incompetent - 27 November 2008