November 11, 2000

Law enforcement authorities in Mexico.

In Mexico there are different police organizations with different function.

a.       Municipal Police - Local city police with the responsibility and duty to maintain order, provide security, prevent crime, assist citizens and visitors, and enforce city laws. (Most are in uniform.)

b.      State Police - are part of the State Attorney General's office responsible for investigating crimes and carrying out arrest warrants issued by judges. (Usually wear civilian clothing, but are identified when carrying out some operations.)

c.       Federal Highway Police - monitors and enforces laws on federal highways, inspects for proper vehicle documentation, and investigates accidents on federal highways. (Federal Police officers wear uniforms.)

d.      Judicial Federal Police - are part of the Federal Attorney General's office. They investigate crimes contained in the Federal Penal Code. (These officers do not wear uniforms and operate throughout the nation.)

e.       Public Treasury (Hacienda) - has officers whose duty is to verify the legality of merchandise and vehicles entering the country.

f.        Federal Preventive Police - operate in all of Mexico's airports, whose main duties are preserving the order, prevention of crime and to assist citizens and visitors.