Mexico’s government launches new federal police force to combat organized crime

World Today

The Mexico government has unveiled a new federal police force, known as Gendarmerie. Their primary task is to protect industries, businesses, and farms that have been targeted by organized crime. CCTV America’s Franc Contreras reports from Mexico City.

The Mexican government says the rigorous process for selecting each of its 5,000 cadets guarantees that only the best recruits made the cut.

The government also says that the Gendarmerie are Mexico’s best-trained, most professional police force and that they received more than 1,400 hours of training from police in Colombia, Chile, France, Spain and the United States.

Their primary task of the new police force will be to protect Mexico’s rural economic assets, such as mines, industries and farms located in regions facing threats by organized crime. Government officials say that the Gendarmerie police will work alongside citizens and protect human rights.

With the war on drugs still raging, crime-related violence remains a major concern for Mexicans. The president said Friday that murders, kidnappings and extortion are declining, but many citizens here still live in fear.

Another primary function of the Gendarmerie will be targeting public perception of the police, as they have long been considered agencies riddled with corruption. Mexico’s government hopes to create the image of a brand new, professional police force that citizens can trust.