Quintana Roo Investigates 468 Police Officers, Dismisses 42

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The state’s Public Security Department (SSC) is investigating 468 police officers for alleged misconduct during duty, according to department chief Julio César Torres Gómez.

Torres Gómez said the Internal Affairs unit is leading the inquiries, while the Council of Honor and Justice reviews violations of institutional rules and the code of ethics. So far, the council has ordered the dismissal of 42 officers and imposed administrative penalties on 40 others, including arrests and suspensions of up to 90 days.

Complaints filed via 911, social media

The investigation files stem from direct complaints to the SSC, calls to the 911 emergency line, and reports posted on social media, Torres Gómez said. Most cases involve alleged abuse of authority, he added, though evidence will determine whether officers are found responsible.

Remaining files are still being analyzed and will be referred to Internal Affairs for possible disciplinary action. The police chief urged residents to report arbitrary conduct, promising no retaliation against those who file complaints. He also said removing bad officers would improve the department’s performance.

Extortion complaint in Chetumal

The announcement follows a recent public complaint by a Chetumal resident who said police officers extorted him. The man, who withheld his name for safety, said he was subdued, handcuffed, and taken to the municipal jail on allegations of throwing trash and drinking alcohol on a public street.

Once at the station, the officers demanded 10,000 pesos to keep him out of the cells, according to the complaint. The victim said he paid because officers denied him contact with his lawyer and refused to administer a breathalyzer test. To intimidate him, they showed him images from a nearby C5 surveillance camera captured at the moment of his detention.