Police corruption in Mexico
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Corruption among police officers in Mexico is a major problem that affects both the law enforcement agencies and the country's political system.
History of corruption
[edit]Corruption in Mexico has its roots in colonial times.[1] With the arrival of conquistadors, the Spanish crown began assigning offices of power to certain wealthy and influential people.[2] These offices were often short-lived because officials were charged with collecting revenue, maintaining order, and sustaining their regions while relying on only local sources of wealth and sustenance. People began to influence their local political leaders and would hold fiestas to gain favor with them. This system of bribery and purchasing one's way into power and influence continued into post-colonial times, where the Mexican society organized itself into a pyramid-like hierarchy with the rich and powerful at the top.[3] After independence, corruption was used not only as a means of advancement, but also as a means to provide goods and services.[4] Over time, the practice of using unofficial means became a way for bureaucrats to generate revenue for infrastructural and social projects as well as to supplement their incomes.
Corruption in the police
[edit]Corruption in the Mexican police can range from accepting bribes to overlooking criminal activity to active participation in criminal activity such as extortion, drug trafficking, and assassination.[5]
Over 93% of crimes go unreported or not investigated in Mexico.[6] The extortion rate is 11 percent. It's consistent with the daily life of many Mexicans.[7] Only 18% of Mexicans expressed a high level of trust in public security institutions in 2017, and only 7% in the case of municipal police. Additionally, only 13% are aware of any action taken to tackle corruption.[8] Many people have reported bribing the police for even minor incidents such as illegal parking and other traffic violations. [9] Police corruption is also, in part, to blame for the continued spread of illicit narcotics and the growth of the drug manufacturing and distribution industries.[10]
Efforts to stop corruption
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2021) |
Under the administration of former president Andres Manuel Lopez between 2019-2024, efforts were made to impose justice on abuse of power by government officials and other authorities. According to a recent study by Forbes Mexico, the federal government has taken steps to stop and diminish corruption, such as arresting corrupt individuals in power and investigating corruption cases.
References
[edit]- ^ Rubio, Luis (2024-11-07). "Corruption Is Mexico's Original Sin". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "The Spanish conquistadores and colonial empire (article)". Khan Academy. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
- ^ "Mexico | Nacel Open Door". www.nacelopendoor.org. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Understanding the Problems and Obstacles of Corruption in Mexico". Baker Institute. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Mexicans say some police officers are taking bribes with mobile payment services". Rest of World. 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
- ^ "Human Rights | Document". U.S. Agency for International Development. 2022-06-23. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Díaz-Cayeros, Alberto; Magaloni, Beatriz; Romero, Vidal (February 2015). "Caught in the Crossfire: The Geography of Extortion and Police Corruption in Mexico" (PDF).
{{cite web}}: line feed character in|title=at position 29 (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ dlewis (2018-05-29). "Failing Justice in Mexico: The Multi-Layered Problem of Crime". Vision of Humanity. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "share of respondents who were asked or had to pay a bribe in the last 12 months in Mexico in 2021".
- ^ UCL (2025-02-25). "Analysis: Mexico's drug corruption has more to do with US demand than crooked politicians". UCL News. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/951127/lomnitz.shtml
- http://business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/the-americas/mexico/snapshot.aspx
- JSTOR 40209705
- http://www.kentlaw.edu/perritt/courses/seminar/joanna-benjamin-Seminar%20Paper-final.htm
- http://www.transparency.org/country#MEX
- https://www.ganintegrity.com/portal/country-profiles/mexico/