Pacification and Other Occupation Police Tactics in an Integrated Area of Public Security in Rio De Janeiro

The research focuses on the territory of the Second Integrated Area of Public Security (Áreas Integrada de Segurança Pública - AISP 2) located in the south zone of Rio de Janeiro, comprising the neighborhoods of Catete, Cosme Velho, Flamengo, Gloria, Laranjeiras, Botafogo, Humaitá and Urca. The AISP 2 is characterized by having three kinds of military police which has been operating inside favelas: National Public Security Force (Força Nacional de Segurança Pública - FNSP), which has been in Santo Amaro community since 2012; the Pacifying Police Unit of Santa Marta (Unidade de Polícia Pacificadora - UPP), first UPP planned in 2008 and subordinated to the Pacification Police Coordination (Coordenação de Polícia Pacificadora - CPP); and the Second Military Police Battalion (Batalhão de Polícia Militar - 2^nd BPM). The study aims to understand the relationship established between law enforcement officials and residents of the affected areas by the police occupation. Informal interviews with some locals and policemen were conducted to identify some types of conflict, analyzing the tense relationship established between both. Also the techniques of direct observation and collective discussions were utilized in community meetings such as the “community cafes” in the favelas and the Security Community Council (Conselho Comunitário de Segurança) at the AISP 2. The results indicate that despite the lack of contact between the agents of FNSP, UPP Santa Marta and the 2^nd BPM, there is much similarity in their approach and relationship established with the locals. It follows a slightly varied militarized structure leading to some questionable community policing activities.