19 Cancún cops face dismissal over corruption claims

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Internal Affairs division of the Cancún Municipal Police has formally requested the dismissal of 19 officers following allegations of corruption. The complaints, part of 113 active case files against officers in 2025, include accusations of unjustified injuries, aggression, threats against tourists, and extortion.

Investigations and Sanctions

From January to June 2025, the Directorate of Internal Affairs has closed 55 cases, with 34 dismissed for lack of evidence, 18 resulting in arrests, and three forwarded to the Honor and Justice Council for resolution. An additional 21 cases have been submitted to the council for potential disciplinary action, including removal, while two officers face suspension.

Despite the allegations, no officers have been formally dismissed yet. A source within the Honor and Justice Commission clarified that immediate termination is not possible under protocol. “An administrative process must first be initiated based on formal complaints. Officers may be temporarily suspended, sanctioned, or eventually removed, but termination is not automatic,” the source stated.

High-Profile Cases

One notable case involves three traffic officers accused of extorting an Italian tourist for 50,000 pesos (approximately $2,500) via bank transfers. Only one officer has been detained, while the other two remain at large. The detained officer faces abandonment of duty charges after failing to report for work.

Since 2022, Cancún Mayor Ana Patricia Peralta has overseen the removal of 147 officers for misconduct. In a public statement, Peralta emphasized a zero-tolerance policy: “No more corruption! We will not allow any public safety officer to tarnish the uniform. In Cancún, the law applies equally—impunity is over.”

Ongoing Accountability Measures

To combat corruption, the city has implemented a QR code system for confidential reporting of misconduct by public officials. Meanwhile, the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) has taken over cases involving potential criminal conduct by officers.

In the past eight months, 12 to 15 officers have been removed, 20 sanctioned, and 113 placed under review for offenses including abuse of authority, theft, and unexplained absences. The municipal government continues to process disciplinary actions against dozens of officers.

The city’s crackdown on police misconduct remains a focal point as officials work to restore public trust in law enforcement.