Police Militarization and Community Distrust: A Case Study of High-Intensity Urban Counter-Cartel Strategy

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 6, No. 9, September 2015 | pp. 505–513

DOI: 10.46882/2015/GJPCS/000078

Article Type: Case Study

Title: Police Militarization and Community Distrust: A Case Study of High-Intensity Urban Counter-Cartel Strategy

Names of Authors: Ricardo Silva¹, Thiago Santos²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Institute of Social and Political Studies, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; ²Center for Criminology and Human Rights, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract: Abstract: Heavily militarized policing tactics are frequently deployed to suppress urban drug cartels, but they can unintentionally cause widespread insecurity among local communities. This case study evaluates the institutional and psychological impacts of militarized counter-narcotics operations within marginalized metropolitan sectors. Field research utilized ethnography, crime report analysis, and structured interviews with 380 local residents. The data reveal that heavy tactical policing operations yield negligible long-term reductions in drug cartel operations, while dramatically increasing accidental civilian casualties. Survey assessments indicate that 76% of residents reported extreme levels of institutional distrust toward security forces, viewing tactical units as occupying forces rather than protectors. Regression indicators reveal that increased police raid frequencies have a strong negative correlation with community willingness to report local crimes (R² = 0.54, p < 0.01). The research concludes that militarized urban policing destroys community-level intelligence networks and exacerbates cyclical violence. The paper recommends transitioning to community-oriented policing models backed by independent human rights oversight to rebuild institutional legitimacy.

Keywords: Police Militarization, Community Distrust, Urban Counter-Cartel Strategy, Tactical Operations, Public Security, Institutional Legitimacy, Human Rights

Manuscript Timeline: Received: April 22, 2015; Revised: June 30, 2015; Accepted: August 04, 2015; Published: September 22, 2015

Citation: Silva, R., & Santos, T. (2015). Police Militarization and Community Distrust: A Case Study of High-Intensity Urban Counter-Cartel Strategy. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 6(9), 505–513. DOI: 10.46882/2015/GJPCS/000078

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