Is it possible to reform the police? This is what two former interior ministers say

He explored Jorge Hernandezknown as “El Espanyol” recently revealed that he had housed the fugitive Fray Vasquez, nephew of former President Pedro Castillo, at his home in La Molina, and that two high-ranking national police officers, whom he did not name, were aware of the relative’s whereabouts former head of state.

“Practically two people knew he was here, and they were the police,” he said. Hernandez in an interview with the Sunday newspaper Day D.

Adding to this revelation are alleged links between El Espanyol, accused of being part of a counterintelligence network led by Terrones Castleand former Commander-in-Chief of the Peruvian National Police (PNP), Raul Alfarowho was relieved of his post after learning of this alleged connection.

Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Alberto Otarola announced this week that Government of Dina Boluartethrough Ministry of the Interiorthe process of reforming the National Police will begin in conditions when High Command They were connected to the alleged criminal network of the detained ex-president.

RPP News spoke this Wednesday, March 29, with two former ministers of the interior find out whether it is worthwhile to reform the PNP and what points should be prioritized to improve the functioning of the institution.

Fernando Rospigliosi: The government does not have the “necessary power” to make changes to the PNP

IN News extensionformer Minister of the Interior Fernando Rospigliosi, who held this post during the leadership Alexander Toledo (2001 -2006), confirmed that the administration Dina Boluarte does not have the “necessary power” to effect profound changes in the TNG, considering, he pointed out, that this Government emergency and transitional

“This Government which was formed in an emergency. There is no team that would prepare ideas in different areas, starting with the Police. In other words, he has no ideas. It does not have the necessary power to effect profound change in any sector. And this is a shaky government that has no popularity, no bench, no party,” he said.

Although he said that he executive power failed to carry out the reform, the political scientist also argued that the leadership Boluarte Zegarra You can start with a “cleansing” in the Police, which consists in identifying and expelling others High Command that they would be captured by the alleged criminal network former President Pedro Castillo, who is currently in prison for a failed coup December 7, 2022

“This government does not have an adequate team for this. [reforma]. What he can do are some basic and important things. Clear out the police first, it can be done. The persons who became agents of the corrupt government of Pedro Castillo are more or less identified,” he said.

“The problem is that almost all the police chiefs who were in the government of Pedro Castillo were groped by this government,” he added.

For rospigliosihe needs to be put in charge PNP and in the appeals of the institution to the appropriate people, according to their merits. “[Hay que] make a thorough assessment and put in capable and reliable people,” he insisted.

“You have to stop talking about great promises, great words. The word “reform” is rejected by the police because there have been many reform attempts that have not been successful and have created more problems because there is no continuity in governments,” he sentenced.

Jose Elis: “We must be able to reform the police”

Unlike Fernando Rospigliosiformer head of the interior, José Elis, took a different view and argued that the reform PNP This should have been done a long time ago. Thus he suggested Government of Dina Boluarte follow plan left by the leadership of Francisco Sagasti (2020-2021), which is called “Fundamentals of Strengthening and Modernizing the National Police of Peru”.

“I think we should be able to reform the police. In fact, it should have started a long time ago. Police it needs and requires profound reform. Therefore, during the reign [de Francisco Sagasti] we have prepared a plan…”, — he said.

Eliza He pointed out that the aforementioned plan has six areas of work, among which are the improvement of incentives for the work of police officers, the rehabilitation and modernization of the infrastructure necessary for the strategic deployment of the police function, among other four points.

“While it is true that the police need cooperation with other organizations and other views, it is important that the police themselves participate in the development of their reform,” he said.

Finally, former Minister of the Interior reiterated that this was a proposal and that a “more adjusted contingency plan” could be applied, which depends on reality police institute.

“This does not mean that a more adjusted contingency plan is not being applied to correct some things in the face of the reality we are facing now. This is a process that we must continue or start in order for the police to regain the trust of the public,” he said.