Until this Monday, April 1, the National Civil Police (PNC) could not confirm that the attackers of the prosecutor of the Public Ministry were impostors. The problem is that there is an illegal sale of Police uniforms and any person in the right place with the indicated money can buy everything from pants to police badges, even with the security controls imposed by the Ministry of the Interior to avoid fakes.
The PNC insignia are offered in broad daylight in businesses in zone 1 of the capital, in front of the General Directorate of the Police itself for Q35 and the vests to carry weapons and hoppers can be purchased for Q150. . There are also batons, jackets and caps with the logo of the police units included.
Businesses always have customers; While some agents ask about the prices of the items, others take measurements for a new uniform, because, according to them, the fabric offered in these stores is of better quality than that provided by the institution, and does not “break so easily.” “.
Agents who preferred to remain anonymous indicate that asking for a new uniform in the PNC administration means a “long protocol” and in the end they do not receive it. It is easier, according to them, to give a new uniform to an operational agent than to an administrative one, even if the deterioration of the clothing is evident.
“Last year they gave two uniforms, but many don’t even have them anymore, the poor quality of the fabric makes them ruin very quickly and no one wants to go around like that. At the outside sale A blue uniform costs me Q400 and the ones they gave us last year are valued at Q1,200“, confides an agent to Free Press.
difficult to confirm
On Wednesday, March 27, the MP prosecutor, Miriam Reguero Sosa, emerged unharmed from an attack against her, the second in less than two years. The researcher’s mother and a member of her security died in the attack.
The attackers, according to images from security cameras that circulated on social networks, wore uniforms similar to those of the PNC and were traveling on a motorcycle similar to those used in the institution, Therefore, there is a line of investigation to rule out or confirm whether the hitmen were agents, investigators indicated.
They added that due to the investigations they cannot give details. However, they say that it is difficult to confirm information when the PNC uniform can be acquired “without any control and in any sale.”
“In those businesses to buy a vest, a badge or order a uniform, “They don’t ask you for any document to verify if you are a police officer, I think it is something that should be regulated,” he said.
The PNC spokesperson, Edwin Monroy, indicates that with the new uniforms acquired in 2023 there is better control over the agents, since they include a QR code on the upper part of the left sleeve, where “any citizen” can verify the agent’s name, photograph, blood type and if it is active. However, agents consulted, They assure that in the businesses where the uniforms are made the QR logo is included, although the application is not activated.
Millionaire spending
Since 2009, the State has paid Q309 million to the company Tactical Group, Sociedad Anónima, which has produced the uniforms for the PNC.
In 2023, the Ministry of the Interior (Mingob) paid Q39 million for the production of 80 thousand uniforms, while the Ministry of Defense awarded them Q24 million for four tactical vehicles for the army.
In June 2021, Mingob also spent Q37 million for the acquisition of 151 thousand uniforms Black command type color for use by police personnel.
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