MARÍA DANIELA ESPINOZA
EL UNIVERSAL

The question of demilitarization of police corps as a signal of their degree of democratization is a highly complicated issue. Some European countries such as Belgium, Spain, France and Italy have followed an undisputable democratic path with police services both attached to the ministries of defense and having a military arrangement.

However, "the fact that police and military roles have not been separated has brought about a number of problems preventing the implementation of a police model that is civilian and respects human rights," claims attorney José María Rico, a Canadian expert in police services.

Under the Venezuelan Constitution, security bodies have "a civilian nature." However, in his proposed changes to the Constitution, President Hugo Chávez suggests giving the National Armed Force (FAN) a new role, namely, "permanent participation in tasks to ensure citizens' security." The draft reform even proposes the possibility to "organize police corps" as part of the National Guard.

Both retired colonel Alfredo Daniels Torres -a co-founder in 1998 of the Human Rights Division, Ministry of Defense- and retired lieutenant colonel Héctor Herrera -chair of the Bolivarian Military Front- stressed that such a proposal "should not raise the alarms," as both the National Guard and the Military Police Corps are currently playing a role in citizens' security tasks. However, the technical secretary of the extinct Commission for Police Reform, Soraya El Achkar, claims "risk levels are likely to increase."

"Violence and abuse of power are likely to worsen. The military are trained to defend the territory; they use weapons and have values such as discipline, subordination, and obedience. On the other hand, the police corps are involved in crime prevention and settlement of conflicts through mediation; the use non-lethal weapons, and should have cardinal values such as prudence and dialogue," explains El Achkar.
 
Daniels Torres, however, underscores that military officers can respect human rights and do their job. "Under the United Nations, the role of police corps -either civilian or military- is not restricted. A manual outlines every possible procedure to be followed regarding security tasks, while respecting human rights. Human rights never stop a police officer from acting."
 
He notices that the Venezuelan military have been since 1998 to date, and have started to receive training in human rights. "Every military school in this country teaches this subject matter today."

Solution?
Last August 26, during his weekly radio and television show Aló, Presidente (Hello, President), Venezuelan ruler Hugo Chávez clarified that in his draft changes to the Constitution he proposed that "the National Armed Force is conferred upon the responsibility to play an active role in citizens' security tasks," because he was taking into consideration the insecurity problems facing the country. At that time, Chávez claimed that "the only component of the National Armed Force that is currently authorized to take the streets and fight crime is the National Guard." "The Army cannot do that, unless in a special situation and under precise instructions," Chávez stated.

According to El Achkar, that should change. "The National Armed Force -under a presidential decree- should be instructed to take the streets only when police corps has been surpassed. If, in the Constitution, you transfer this role to the National Armed Force, then you are widening its functions, and making it a rule rather than an exception."

She reminds that the extinct Commission for Police Reform recommended organizing "merely civilian" police corps. And she warns that changing the role of FAN in this regard will not solve the problem of crime.

"In order to cut crime rates, prevention is needed, and at the present time the National Guard hits the streets only to be present there. Patrolling is not enough, as criminals move to other areas, where there are not law enforcement officers. This is a wrong strategy."

According to Herrera, however, this "structural change" will bring "excellent results," and will also pave the way for FAN to act. "You cannot issue a decree every time to instruct the FAN to act for the sake of the people. In case of emergency, you will not need a special mandate, as this would be provided for" under the Constitution.

Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.
msuarez@eluniversal.com