Criminal Justice in Peru

Peru: General Facts Constitutional republic Independence: July 28, 1821 Chief of State: President Alejandro Toledo Manrique (since 28 July 2001)

Policing in Peru Peruvian National Police Part of the Ministry of the Interior Product of a vast restructuring of the country’s police forces Guardia Civil, Investigative Police, Republican Guard and the Fuerzas Policiales

National Police Guarantee and maintain internal order Protect the community Guarantee compliance with the law Prevent and investigate delinquency Guard and control the borders

Requirements for Recruits Peruvian citizen by birth Minimum 16 years of age, maximum of 24 Single, with no kids No prior criminal offenses

Specializations Order and security Intelligence Criminal investigation Forensics Administration

Special Units Counterterrorism Directorate (DIRCOTE) Anti-drugs Directorate Directorate of National Defense and Border Control Directorate of Roadway Safety

Canine Units 1962 Manuel Felix Boluarte Chile

Community Policing Vigilant Neighbor (Vecino Vigilante) juvenile patrols Nationwide programs

Crime in Peru Crime stats are unreliable 2000: 8,047 reported offenses (5,393 solved) Victims surveys indicated 7 out of 10 Peruvians have been crime victims Lima homicide rates: 28.19 (per 100,000) Homicides have decreased since 1994

2002 Statistics

Threats to Peruvian Security Terrorist Groups Organized Crime/drug trafficking Corruption

Terrorism in Peru Sendero Luminoso Tupac Amaru Landless movement

Drugs Coca paste has been cultivated and used for centuries 1990s: Coca processing illegalized (not cultivation) 2002: 7,100 hectares of Coca fields eradicated (nearly double in 1999)

Peruvian Courts 16-member Supreme Court in Lima Superior courts in departmental capitals Courts of first instance (civil, penal, and special)

Faceless Courts Designed to sentence terrorists without fear of being identified These courts have been abolished