NCJ Number
122846
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 37 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1989) Pages: 40-44
Date Published
1989
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Police Department is an example of a new professionalism being developed in Mexican departments; with over one million tourists per year and concomitant crime problems, new management priorities are improving responses to citizen and tourist needs.
Abstract
The new head of the department stresses discipline and professionalism as the components of a cooperative police-community relationship. The 160-officer force will receive increased training including instruction in report writing, crime prevention, and other police techniques; some officers will attend courses in criminal law, public relations, and English language at the State police academy in Guadalajara. The major crime problems associated with tourists are drunk and disorderly behavior and disturbing the peace. The officers patrol the city limits and respond to calls about crimes in progress. The District Attorney's office investigates crimes that have already occurred. Police are equipped with .38-caliber revolvers with shotguns and carbines as back-up weapons. Although marijuana is the main drug problem, all law enforcement authorities are cooperating to prevent problems related to hard drugs. Despite many similarities between the U.S. and Mexican criminal justice systems, a Mexican officer involved in a shooting is immediately incarcerated for three days. Every case is adjudicated by a judge, without benefit of a jury. Police candidates, who must be in good physical condition and high school graduates, attend a two-month training academy. Officers attend refresher courses on criminal law, firearms, and physical aptitude. Problems causing poor police-community relations include lack of citizen cooperations and lack of punishment for assaults on officers. The department expects to recruit additional officers, purchase a computer, and build larger offices and more facilities.