Recent debates surrounding public safety and policing have intensified as Brazilian President Luiz Ignácio Lula da Silva (PT) introduced a decree regulating the use of force by security forces at both federal and state levels. This move, meant to reform policing protocols, has drawn widespread criticism from various political leaders and organizations, igniting discussions about state autonomy and public safety.
The decree, which officially outlines when law enforcement personnel can utilize firearms, stipulates these weapons should only be employed as a last resort. It emphasizes prioritizing non-violent methods such as communication, negotiation, and other de-escalation techniques. Mário Sarrubbo, the National Secretary of Public Security, explained, "The proposal is meant to create a more conscious police response, ensuring force is applied proportionally to real or potential threats."
Despite this intent, the document has faced sharp rebuke from various governors, particularly those on the political opposition. Sandro Avelar, the president of the National Council of Secretaries of Public Security and Secretary of Public Security for the Federal District, criticized the decree as being fundamentally misaligned with real-world policing needs. Avelar noted, "The decree went against the grain, possibly issued after the public release of violent police footage from São Paulo. These visuals are incidents of crime, nothing to do with the progressive use of force. These are matters for internal investigations and criminal justice."
Further amplifying the discontent, Ronaldo Caiado, the governor of Goiás, took to social media to voice his apprehensions, stating, "The organized crime celebrates the great Christmas gift received from President Lula." His remarks suggest the decree may inadvertently embolden criminal elements by limiting police response capabilities, focusing predominantly on low-level crimes.
Concurrently, the governor of the Federal District, Ibaneis Rocha (MDB), deemed the directive unconstitutional during interviews with major news outlets, repeating sentiments shared by his fellow state leaders. Both criticized the federal government’s approach, which they felt failed to account for on-the-ground realities and effectively hampered law enforcement efforts.
On the legislative front, opposition is brewing as some members of Congress plan to push back against the new regulations. A notable figure among the dissenters is Pedro Lupion (PP-PR), who heads the Parliamentary Front of Agriculture. He recently filed a Project for Legislative Decree (PDL) intending to annul Lula's order, indicating it represented what he described as "a severe attack on the Federal Pact by infringing on state autonomy." He elaborated, claiming "the Union does not possess the competence to dictate how states should manage resources from the National Public Security Fund." Lupion criticized the government’s approach as overly simplistic and oblivious to the nuanced and complex needs of public safety operations.
Lupion was quoted saying, "The government's aim is to 'play to the gallery' without considering the actual necessities and intricacies of security personnel operations." He emphasized the potential detrimental impact of the decree, claiming the introduced procedures could obstruct effective police action, thereby compromising both public safety and the security of law enforcement officers themselves.
Nevertheless, Sarrubbo defended the decree against allegations of being crafted behind closed doors, asserting the transparency of the process. He pointed out the collaborative efforts made, stating, "This was not something created out of sight of the public. The drafting process had police participation."
This growing friction between federal and state powers highlights the continuing struggle within Brazil to establish effective security policies. The tension encapsulates broader socio-political debates over public safety, crime, and the role of governmental authority, framing the narrative around Lula's administration's effectiveness and its responsiveness to the realities faced by local forces.
