80 SSP elements investigated for police abuse in State of Mexico

The Internal Affairs Department of Mexico City’s Public Security Ministry (SSP) is currently investigating 80 elements of police for allegedly participating in a quarrel that took place last Monday in San Juan Ixhuatepec, in the State of Mexico .

José Ramón Amieva, head of the Mexico City government

, acknowledged that there had been police abuse, though he decided not to remove the head of the SSP, Raymundo Collins, from office: “Our goal is to deliver justice and it would be unfair to remove him from office, though we will conduct an investigation to apply penalties.”

In a separate interview, Collins made it clear that he would not resign since one of his responsibilities as head of the city police is to “guarantee the safety of citizens” and lend support to his police officers whenever they fall victim to criminals.

On Monday , citizens from San Juan Ixhuatepec blocked the Mexico-Pachuca highway for a 20-hour period as a protest do demand justice shortly after elements of the Ministry of Public Security chased alleged assailants, leaving a trail of beaten people and destroyed property, as was shown in a footage that was spread through social media.

Following these events, local neighbors submitted a petition to the authorities demanding, among other things, the destitution of the Public Security Minister of Mexico City.

The SSP reported that it has now interviewed 90% of the policemen who allegedly took part in the arrest of four people who were assaulting a civilian at a gas station located near the Gustavo A. Madero delegation

on the border with the State of Mexico, which caused the blockade in the highway.

Mexico City authorities have initiated 53 investigations so far

, though there have been no arrests.

For their part, the Attorney General’s Office in the State of Mexico (FGJEM) received 63 reports of assault and property damage. In light of this situation, the Attorney General requested a list of every SSP element involved in the quarrel to conduct individual interviews.

The FGJEM emphasized that the person responsible for the operation would have to appear in court before the Prosecutor, who will be presented with evidence such as pictures and footage taken with security cameras from the state and municipal governments, as well as from private businesses and properties in the area.

Compensation

In an interview, the head of the Mexico City government claimed that all victims –a total of 40 people so far- of the abuse of power perpetrated by SSP police officers in San Juan Ixhuatepec would be compensated directly. “We will not use social programs, but conduct direct damage repairs,” he claimed.

Yesterday, members of the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Tlalnepantla , the Ministry of Social Development of Mexico City , and the Victim Assistance Commission in the capital conducted a detailed search of the area. The public servants assessed and registered the damage caused to private properties and vehicles.

Police incompetence

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