Nearly 8,000 policemen in Colombia are being investigated for corruption, including charges of abuse of authority and complicity with groups outside the law.
The national inspector general of police, General Jose Roberto Leon Riaño, said there have been 30,000 investigations since 2006, and although a “high percentage” have been cleared, it is not yet known if there are more guilty people still in uniform, El Tiempo reported Wednesday.
Leon Riaño called for more civilian cooperation to help purge the ranks of guilty officers.
He arrived in Monteria Monday under orders from Police Director General Oscar Naranjo to meet behind closed doors, without any other officers present, with retailers, politicians, community leaders and journalists to hear complaints against members of the Cordoba police force.
“We will make a diagnosis based on what people think about their police department, and from this information we will take important decisions,” said Leon.
Cordova acknowledged that there have been serious complaints about the alleged complicity of agents and officers with criminal gangs.
One of the most notable cases occurred November 11 when Jairo Luis Diaz Barrios, aka “Mincho,” alleged ringleader of the “Los Paisas,” was captured in the home of a police officer.
The officer, identified as Eder Tangarife Carmona, was dispatched from his unit once his ties to the accused gang leader came to light.
And on November 10, Superintendent Jair Cabrera was captured and accused of being part of the criminal gang “Aguilas Negras” in Montelibano, south of Cordoba.
