Quintana Roo Graduates 244 New Police Officers and Debuts First Bomb Squad

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Quintana Roo has created its first Search, Location and Neutralization of Explosive Devices Group (BLONAE), an eight-officer unit trained by the Mexican Navy, state officials announced during the fifth graduation ceremony of the University of Sciences and Disciplines of Security.

Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa led the ceremony, at which 244 officers received their credentials. The BLONAE members trained in electronics, applied chemistry, controlled detonation and the destruction of military ordnance.

The remaining 236 graduates will be assigned across several branches of the State Police:

• 179 to the Proximity Police
• 28 to the Jaguar Tactical Force
• 16 to the Special Surveillance Services Unit
• 13 to the Penitentiary Police

Lezama said professionalizing the force must go hand in hand with training, equipment and tools that improve service to the public.

Public Security Secretary Julio César Gómez Torres said the recruitment drive has raised the State Police’s strength from 1,532 officers to 2,500 over three years. He also reported a 61 percent drop in intentional homicides, along with declines of 30 percent in business robbery, 19 percent in home burglary, 19 percent in vehicle theft and 14 percent in extortion.

The governor noted that the university offers bachelor’s degrees in Citizen Security and Peacebuilding and in Criminology, as well as master’s programs in Disciplinary Law and Security Intelligence. She also announced that the first class of the Diploma in Tourist Police will begin on September 21.