Federal Police (Mexico)

The Federal Police (Spanish: Policía Federal, PF) was a Mexican national police force. It was established in 2008 by merging several existing federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Preventive Police, the Federal Investigation Agency, and Fiscal Police. The primary objective of its creation was to consolidate federal law enforcement efforts in combating organized crime, particularly drug trafficking, and to address public safety concerns across Mexico.

The Federal Police operated under the authority of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana), formerly the Secretariat of Public Security (Secretaría de Seguridad Pública). Its structure was divided into various divisions specializing in different areas of law enforcement, such as investigation, security, scientific investigation, and anti-drug operations. It was responsible for patrolling federal highways, airports, and other critical infrastructure, as well as conducting investigations into federal crimes.

The Federal Police faced significant challenges, including accusations of corruption, human rights abuses, and a lack of public trust. These issues, coupled with a perceived ineffectiveness in curbing organized crime, led to its eventual abolishment.

In 2019, the Federal Police was officially dissolved and replaced by the National Guard (Guardia Nacional), a new security force composed of both civilian and military personnel. The transition involved transferring many Federal Police officers to the National Guard, while others were offered positions in other government agencies or retired. The National Guard was created with the aim of improving security coordination and accountability, and to provide a more effective response to crime throughout Mexico. The transition period was marked by protests and uncertainty from many Federal Police officers concerned about their employment and future roles.