New resolution allows to record police procedures in alcabalas

Caracas.- A new text issued in the Joint Resolution N-109 of Control Points will allow citizens to record in audio and video the procedures to which they are subjected in the checkpoints without being penalized for it.

This document was issued by the Ministries of Defense and the Ministries of Internal Relations, Justice and Peace with the specific regulations to avoid the excesses denounced and “guarantee citizen security, the fulfillment of duties, enjoyment and exercise of the rights and guarantees enshrined in the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

In addition to being able to record, citizens may not be forced to hand over their phones or cameras at any time during the procedure or following it, nor may they delete the content.

“No person may be forced to hand over their cell phone or recording equipment before, during or following the routine verification procedure carried out by the authorities at the control point, nor to “delete its content” expresses article 20 of the document before mentioned.

It should be noted that the text published in the Official Gazette that “it is necessary to unify citizen security strategies and policies aimed at resolving situations that constitute a threat, vulnerability or risk to the enjoyment of people’s rights…”.

The full article says the following:
Art. 20: Officials from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ombudsman, duly authorized by the respective body, may be present at fixed or mobile checkpoints, in order to ensure the proper functioning of this monitoring device. security.

Each citizen security body, State security body or the Bolivarian National Armed Forces through the Territorial Defensive System, must establish a continuous mechanism of supervision of the control points under its responsibility, registering and directing the incidents that occur in them. ; and designating a specific authority responsible for it.

The organizations of popular power and especially the police social control committees, within the framework of the exercise of social control, may observe the operation and service provided at the control points and formulate recommendations or complaints.

Citizens, in exercise of their constitutional and legal rights, may make video or audio recordings of the procedures to which they are subjected at checkpoints by the police or military authority, without being compelled not to do so. .

No person may be forced to hand over their cell phone or recording equipment before, during or following the routine verification procedure carried out by the authorities at the control point, or to “delete its content.

The retention of documentation and belongings, including telephony equipment, may only be carried out in the cases established in the Organic Code of Criminal Procedure and other applicable current legislation as established.