Quintana Roo to Double State Police Force to 3,000 Officers

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Quintana Roo plans to double the size of its state police force, aiming for 3,000 officers after adding more than 1,000 recruits during the current administration, state Public Security Secretary Julio César Gómez Torres said.

The force, known formally as the Policía Estatal, currently has about 2,500 active officers. Officials expect that number to reach roughly 2,700 by the end of the year as the next academy classes graduate, and they plan to hire 300 more officers in the following year to hit the target.

The steady expansion has required a broad budget commitment from the state government, Gómez Torres said, one that goes well beyond salaries.

“We have added more than 1,000 officers to the state police force since the start of the administration, and that obviously requires the payroll for more than 1,000 additional officers plus equipment, patrol vehicles, weapons, vests, helmets, training and continuous instruction,” he said.

Cameras and Prevention Programs

Alongside recruitment, the strategy calls for expanding the state’s network of video surveillance cameras at key locations. Officials describe the camera system as a strategic pillar for crime prevention, faster response to emergencies and investigative work carried out with the State Prosecutor’s Office.

The plan also includes social prevention programs aimed at the underlying causes of violence. Police carry out outreach work directly in neighborhoods, schools and workplaces, with priority given to supporting women facing violence and young people in vulnerable situations.

Gómez Torres said the department is committed to continuing the buildup through the end of the administration.

“That is our commitment: to keep growing our personnel, with more cameras, more patrols, more equipment and better preparation for police officers, and to address root causes in neighborhoods, in schools and in workplaces,” he said.