The birth of modern police: community policing programs in Rio de Janeiro (1983-2012)

Abstract

We make a socio-historic examination of the community police efforts undertaken by the Polícia Militar do Rio de Janeiro (PMERJ) from 1983 to 2012, and emphasize the differences between the distinction of “community” and the actual practices employed, which in no way reflect the underlying terminology or nature. Despite the mismatch of jargon to reality, the actions have been beneficial insofar as they have made it possible to institutionalize traditional police measures in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, and lay the foundations for the emergence of a modern police force.