NCJ Number
44655
Date Published
1977
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLITICAL AND SOCIAL UPHEAVAL IN BRAZIL AND THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEATH SQUAD, A GROUP OF POLICE OFFICERS WHO FIGHT CRIME BY SYSTEMATICALLY EXTERMINATING CRIMINALS, IS EXPLORED.
Abstract
THE DEATH SQUAD (ESQUADRAO DA MORTE) BEGAN RECEIVING WIDESPREAD PUBLICITY IN 1968, DURING A PERIOD OF EXTREME POLITICAL UNREST AND REPRESSION IN BRAZIL. THE MILITARY HAD BEEN JOINED BY THE CIVILIAN POLICE IN ENFORCING THE SUSPENSION OF POLITICAL RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES THAT FOLLOWED PROTEST MOVEMENTS AGAINST THE AUTHORITARIAN MILITARY REGIME. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE DEATH SQUAD WAS INVOLVED IN THE BRUTAL MURDER OF HUNDREDS OF 'THIRD-CLASS MARGINALS.' IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DEATH SQUAD CAMPAIGN REPRESENTS A CONSCIOUS RESOLUTION BY POLICE OFFICERS TO TAKE JUSTICE INTO THEIR OWN HANDS AND TO DO AWAY WITH AS MANY COMMON CRIMINALS AS POSSIBLE. IT MAY ALSO BE THAT SOME OF THE DEATH SQUAD SLAYINGS ARE MOTIVATED BY REVENGE OR BY A DESIRE TO HIDE THE INVOLVEMENT OF BRAZILIAN POLICE IN ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFIC. HOWEVER, THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEATH SQUAD APPEAR TO REFLECT AN EXPANSION OF THE BOUNDARIES OF PUBLIC AND OFFICIAL TOLERANCE FOR POLICE VIOLENCE IN TIMES OF ACUTE POLITICAL TENSION AND SOCIAL DISRUPTION. THE BRAZILIAN POLICE TRADITIONALLY HAVE BEEN IMPAIRED BY POOR DISCIPLINE AND TRAINING AND BY INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL. SUCH SHORTCOMINGS ARE EXAGGERATED AT TIMES OF POLITICAL CRISIS. POLICE ACTIVITIES IN BRAZIL TRADITIONALLY HAVE BEEN CHARACTERIZED BY WIDESPREAD POLITICAL PERSECUTION AND ARBITRARY BRUTALITY. ACCUSTOMED TO VIOLENT BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF THE POLICE AND PREOCCUPIED WITH THE POLITICAL TUMULT OF THE TIMES, BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC GENERALLY HAVE BEEN INDIFFERENT TO THE INTENSIFICATION OF POLICE VIOLENCE EMBODIED IN THE DEATH SQUAD. IN GENERAL, THE POLITICAL SITUATION HAS SERVED AS A SCREEN FOR POLICE MISCONDUCT. NOTES ARE PROVIDED.