Police corruption in Mexico

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Police corruption in Mexico refers to unlawful or unethical conduct by members of Mexican law enforcement agencies, including bribery, extortion, abuse of authority, and collaboration with criminal groups. The issue has been documented by academic studies, government reports, and investigative journalism. It has also been linked to broader challenges within Mexico’s criminal justice system.

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Reports of police corruption have involved forces at the municipal, state, and federal levels, and are often associated with low crime reporting rates, limited public trust in law enforcement, and the influence of organized crime. Successive Mexican governments have introduced reforms and anti-corruption initiatives aimed at addressing these problems, with varying degrees of implementation and effectiveness.

History of corruption

Corruption in Mexico traces its roots back to colonial times, [1] when the arrival of Spanish conquistadors led the Spanish crown to grant positions of power to wealthy and influential individuals. [2] These offices were often short-lived because officials were charged with collecting revenue, maintaining order and sustaining their regions while only relying on local sources of wealth and sustenance. People began to influence their local political leaders and would hold fiestas to gain favor with them. This system of bribery and purchasing one's way into power and influence continued into post-colonial times, where Mexican society organized itself into a pyramid-like hierarchy, with the rich and powerful at the top. [3] After independence, corruption was used not only as a means of advancement, but also as a means to provide goods and services. [4] Over time, the practice of using unofficial means became a way for bureaucrats to generate revenue for infrastructural and social projects as well as to supplement their incomes.

Corruption in the police

Corruption in the Mexican police can range from accepting bribes to overlooking criminal activity, to actively participating in it through extortion, drug trafficking, and assassination. [5]

Over 93% of crimes go unreported or are not investigated in Mexico. [6] The 2011 Survey on Public Safety and Governance in Mexico reported that the extortion rate from criminal organizations is 10% while 11% report being extorted by the police. A 2015 Stanford paper described this as being consistent with the daily life of many Mexicans. [7] Only 18% of Mexicans expressed a high level of trust in public security institutions in 2017, and only 7% in the case of municipal police. Additionally, only 13% are aware of any action taken to tackle corruption. [8] Many people have reported bribing the police for even minor incidents such as illegal parking and other traffic violations. [9] Police corruption is also, in part, to blame for the continued spread of illicit narcotics and the growth of the drug manufacturing and distribution industries. [10]

Efforts to stop corruption

Under the administration of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador between 2019-2024, efforts were made to impose justice on abuse of power by government officials and other authorities. According to a recent study by Forbes Mexico, the federal government has taken steps to stop and diminish corruption, such as arresting corrupt individuals in power and investigating corruption cases. [11]

References

  1. ↑ Rubio, Luis (2024-11-07). "Corruption Is Mexico's Original Sin". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  2. ↑ "The Spanish conquistadores and colonial empire (article)". Khan Academy. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  3. ↑ "Mexico | Nacel Open Door". www.nacelopendoor.org. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  4. ↑ "Understanding the Problems and Obstacles of Corruption in Mexico". Baker Institute. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  5. ↑ "Mexicans say some police officers are taking bribes with mobile payment services". Rest of World. 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  6. ↑ "Human Rights | Document". U.S. Agency for International Development. 2022-06-23. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  7. ↑ Díaz-Cayeros, Alberto; Magaloni, Beatriz; Romero, Vidal (February 2015). "Caught in the Crossfire: The Geography of Extortion and Police Corruption in Mexico" (PDF).
  8. ↑ dlewis (2018-05-29). "Failing Justice in Mexico: The Multi-Layered Problem of Crime". Vision of Humanity. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  9. ↑ "share of respondents who were asked or had to pay a bribe in the last 12 months in Mexico in 2021".
  10. ↑ UCL (2025-02-25). "Analysis: Mexico's drug corruption has more to do with US demand than crooked politicians". UCL News. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  11. ↑ Flannery, Nathaniel Parish. "Can President Sheinbaum Defeat Mexico's Drug Cartels?". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2025-05-04. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
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