Mexico City – Mexico temporarily removed all 284 of its top federal police officers from their jobs and is forcing them to undergo psychological reviews to prove they will not be corrupted in the fight against drug trafficking, the government said Monday.
Mexican authorities have often purged police forces in attempts to eliminate corruption, only to see many of the fired officers go to work full time for organized crime. This is one of the most extreme measures taken yet in hopes of guaranteeing the honesty of high-ranking officers.
It also comes as Mexico seeks more U.S. aid in a nationwide crackdown on drug gangs. Washington has long complained about corruption hindering anti-smuggling efforts in Mexico.
Public Safety Secretary Genaro Garcia Luna said the move came in response to Mexican frustration over corruption, and has nothing to do with U.S. pressure. In recent years, scores of federal police have been caught working for the drug cartels, tainting what Mexicans once considered their last trustworthy group of officers.
Garcia Luna said the 284 high-ranking police would be forced to undergo what he called a “trust test,” including anti-doping exams, polygraphs and psychological reviews.
