Peru creates unified Armed Forces and National Police command against organised crime
President Fujimori announced a joint command of Armed Forces and National Police with operations centre in San Borja. An elite unit will be formed and control of prisons will be retaken.
Fujimori launches joint command and elite unit to combat crime
President Keiko Fujimori announced today, from the Army Headquarters in San Borja, the creation of a unified command between the Armed Forces and the National Police of Peru to confront organised crime and common crime, according to cronicaviva.com.pe.
The announcement was made during the presentation of the Combined Forces for the Fight Against Organised Crime, in Cáceres Plaza at Army Headquarters.
"I announce the establishment of a unified command to confront and defeat criminality and crime. Here, at Army Headquarters, we will establish a major control and operations centre to direct all actions," the president stated.
Decision adopted at COSEDENA
The head of state noted that the Executive Branch and the armed institutions—the Army of Peru, Navy, Air Force and National Police—adopted fundamental decisions within the framework of the National Security and Defence Council (COSEDENA).
"The Peruvian people are desperate because they go out every day to work in fear of being extorted or dying in a shootout. The Peruvian people are disappointed that over the last 26 years their authorities have not done much to defeat crime," Fujimori stated.
The president emphasised that she cannot remain inactive whilst criminals continue to attack citizens. "We will not wait any longer. We are the ones who will confront crime with all the legitimate force of the State, as the Constitution orders," she said.
Elite unit, expulsions and prison control
Fujimori detailed that a special elite unit will be formed, integrated by members of the National Police and the Armed Forces for special search and capture operations.
"We will appear where they least expect us to carry out search and immediate capture operations. We will expel at record speed the foreigners who came to break the law and attack Peruvians," she stated.
The Government also announced that it will retake control of prisons and will cut off communications for inmates who continue committing crimes from within the jails.
New commission and intelligence network
The president announced the creation of the Special Executive Commission to Fight Criminality, with the objective of coordinating actions between ministries, public institutions and, when necessary, the private sector.
Among the supporting entities mentioned are the Financial Intelligence Unit, the National Intelligence Directorate, OSIPTEL and telecommunications companies. Fujimori clarified that truthful and real-time information will be disseminated regarding the progress of the initiative.
Call to politics, justice and private enterprise
The president called on political forces to join the effort, asked the Justice System to act with speed and firmness, and requested private enterprise to contribute to restoring the principle of authority and the rule of law.
"I invite foreign governments to share with us their experience, their technology, their information and their resources against crime. The defence of citizens' lives has no flag," she stated.
Fujimori closed the event reiterating her support for the National Police and the Armed Forces, with the demand for professionalism, legality, discipline and respect for democracy and human rights in the fulfilment of their mission.
Source: Google News PE — Crime