The changing face of police work in an era of expanding illegal markets

• In Event: Mapping intersections of justice, law, and policy in Latin America: Old questions, new challenges, and emerging opportunities.

Abstract

The increasing presence of illegal markets and organized crime in Latin America has significantly altered the nature of police work, forcing law enforcement agencies to adapt their strategies, organizational structures, and relationships with other state and non-state actors. This paper examines, focus on the cases of Chile, Perú and Uruguay, how police forces across the region respond to the pressures of transnational drug trafficking, human smuggling, illicit mining, and other illegal economies. Drawing from the comparative case studies, this research explores three key transformations in police work: (i) Militarization and the Expansion of Special Forces; (ii) Informal Governance and Negotiated Order, (iii) Corruption, Co-optation, and Institutional Erosion. By shedding light on these transformations, this presentation contributes to broader discussions on the relationship between state security institutions and illicit economies. It also raises critical questions about the long-term implications of police adaptation strategies on democracy, governance, and human rights in Latin America.

Author

• lucia dammert, Universidad de Santiago de Chile