“Highway checkpoints manned by municipal and state police are illegal. Citizens already consider them criminals, and in Tulum, a man and a woman disguised as state agents patrol the town solely to rob citizens. Some even carry mobile phone terminals to extort tourists using credit cards. They must be reported!”
Tulum, Quintana Roo, April 27 – Calling them hapless, corrupt, and thuggish police officers, hotelier Roberto Palazuelos announced that, by decree, neither municipal nor state police may set up checkpoints on federal highways, as these have proven ineffective as a security strategy.
He stated that each authority has a specific area of responsibility, and the National Guard is responsible for patrolling federal highways. Therefore, if municipal and state police forces set up checkpoints, they should be reported.
On another note, Roberto Palazuelos informed the public that it is illegal for police officers to wear hoods.
The man known in Mexico as “El Diamante Negro” (The Black Diamond) pointed out that Article 28 of the General Law of the National Public Security System requires that all police officers be fully identified, with their name, badge number, and agency clearly visible. He added that covering their faces is a violation of the law.
He reiterated that the downside of checkpoints is that authorities abuse their power. Therefore, when this occurs, the public should report it so that these corrupt officers can be punished according to the law.
He emphasized that the law must be respected, but tourists must be respected too. Therefore, any violations of human rights should be reported; however, this does not mean lowering our guard against the crime that continues to be active throughout the state of Quintana Roo.
Finally, Palazuelos indicated that society is asking for continued vigilance in the city, not only at the hotel zone, but also in neighborhoods and communities, as well as rural areas, so at the security meetings it has been emphasized that the operations should continue.
Source: Noti Tulum
