Law enforcement in Bolivia

Law enforcement in Bolivia relies on the Cuerpo de Policía Nacional, a group of 40,000 people who work to keep the country safe and follow the law. This police force reports to the national government, not to local leaders in different areas. This has been the case since the 1950 Organic Law of Police and Carabiniers separated the police from the military.

Sometimes, when there are big protests or riots, the police ask the military for help. If people in Bolivia need help from the police, they can dial 110, which works for all police services, including those who watch over the highways.

Historical background

Bolivia's first police force was organized in 1826 by Antonio José de Sucre, but the National Police was officially established in 1886. In 1937, the National Corps of Carabineers and the Police School were created, merging several groups like the military police and the Gendarmerie Corps.

Bolivia's police have always reported to the national government, not to local authorities. Laws from 1886 and 1950 shaped the police system we see today. After supporting the 1952 revolution, the police gained more control over their work and were moved under the Ministry of Interior.

Mission

The main job of the national police is to keep public order, protect people, and make sure laws are followed. They also guard important places where other countries have representatives. The police do not get involved in political fights. The Constitution says that the president is the top leader of the police. The president works with the minister of interior, migration, and justice to choose the leader of the National Police Corps.

In times of big emergencies, the president can directly manage the police. If there is a war, the police would work under the military leader and the Ministry of National Defense. In that case, the police would act like extra army members for as long as the conflict lasts. The leader of the police is usually a high-ranking police officer, often with the rank of colonel.

Organization

The Bolivian police force, called the National Police Corps, has around 40,000 people. It includes several groups such as the General Administration, a paramilitary National Guard called the carabiniers, a Directorate of National Investigations that works with Interpol, Customs Police, Traffic Police, a National Highway Service, a Fire Corps, and the National Police Academy.

All these groups report to a director general in La Paz. The police are organized by regions, with each department having its own police district. These districts have urban and rural commands, with police stations and local jails in the cities. Some special units, like the Explosives Brigade and the Feminine Police Brigade, support main operations. Only La Paz has a local municipal police force that handles parking and local rules.

Special police forces

Bolivia has special police teams that help keep people safe. These teams include groups that deal with big crowds, fighting illegal drugs, and stopping dangerous actions.

Special Security Group

The Special Security Group was a special team of about 450 police officers. They rode motorcycles and were ready to help when there were problems or attacks on important places. They usually worked at government buildings or with other police teams.

Elite Antiterrorist Force

The president at the time gave a special team the job of stopping very dangerous actions.

Special Antinarcotics Force

Main article: Special Force to Fight Drug Trafficking

There was a big team of about 6,000 police officers who worked to stop illegal drugs. This team was created in 1987 and had its own intelligence service to find people who might be involved in illegal drug activities.

Tourism Police

The Tourism Police helps visitors and has offices in La Paz and Cochabamba, with plans to open more in other cities.

Units

Especializadas (Specialties)

Unidades de orden y seguridad (Security and public order units)

Prison system

Prisons in Bolivia are guarded by police officers, not by a separate civilian group like in many western countries. Because there isn’t enough money, the police only watch the outside of the prisons, while the inmates themselves help keep order inside. In many big prisons, the inmates choose leaders to handle things like education and workshops.

In Cochabamba, a group called Ayni Ruway helps prisoners learn skills such as carpentry and computer training. In men’s prisons, inmates can live there with their wives and children, who can leave during the day to go to school or work. Because of this and the lack of funding, many prisons become very crowded. The only prison built just for this purpose in Cochabamba is El Abra; the others are often old warehouses that aren’t well suited for holding many people.

Recruitment and training

Historically, being a police officer was not very popular because of low pay and tough working conditions. Many police officers came from the army or were chosen for political reasons.

The National Police Academy trained new officers with lessons in law, investigation, and safety skills. Some officers also went to schools in other countries to learn more. Cadets had to pass tests and exams to join the academy. In the early 1980s, very few women were police officers, and it was still a new idea. Higher officers could attend the Higher Police School to learn how to lead and manage.