For a Safer Brazil: National Security Strategy and its impact in Brazil - the case of Maceió

• In Event: Police Reforms and Strategies

Abstract

The National Security Strategy was implemented in Brazil in 2011 with three main objectives: reducing homicide rates, improving police performance in what concerns forensics investigation of homicides and empower patrol police through community policing and arms control. The Strategy was implemented in several different States and capital cities in the country and had different impacts in each. This paper presents result of research in one particular city: the city of Maceió, one of the most violent capitals in the country, with 60 homicides per 100.000 inhabitants, an increase of 420% in the number of homicides in the last three decades and a rate of only 3% of cases solved every year. First, results show that homicide rate reduced in 30% and investigations of cases improved in 80%.

Authors

• Karla Padilha Rebelo Marques, Public Ministry of the state of Alagoas - Brazil

• Alline Pedra Jorge Birol, International Centre for Migration Policy Development