Implementation of Model Police Precincts in Central America: Evidence from the Northern Triangle

• In Event: Legitimacy, Crime, and Policing in International Contexts

Abstract

Central America is at a critical juncture in history as economic stagnation, weak governance and political insecurity have contributed to a context that threatens to destabilize democracy and the rule of law. Nowhere is this truer than in the “Northern Triangle” countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras where gangs and organized crime have fueled crime and violence rates that are among the highest in the world and extortion activities stifle business and exacerbate economic instability. The issue of insecurity in Central America poses a significant threat to U.S. national security and could contribute to increased migratory flows and even more entrenched organized crime in the region. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) is working to expand the expansion of programs to address these complex issues through the implementation of model police precincts (MPPs) and a variety of other activities related to police and justice system capacity building and reform. The MPP approach emphasizes community engagement and crime prevention through the use of intelligence gathering, targeted investigations, and community involvement. This presentation will provide a preliminary assessment of the MPP strategy and present data on relevant process and intermediate outcome indicators.

Authors

• Wayne Pitts, RTI International

• Robert Donnelly, RTI International