Tulum Police Face Tougher Oversight in Recovery Push

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Authorities are tightening oversight of police forces in Tulum as part of a coordinated effort by all levels of government to help the city recover economically, according to state officials.

The measures include body-worn cameras for officers, GPS tracking in patrol vehicles, and the dismissal of personnel who fail to meet performance standards.

Cristina Torres Gómez, secretary of government for the state of Quintana Roo, said cleaning up the police force is essential to improving security and protecting the destination’s reputation.

“We are working on this; some people who don’t meet the profile have been removed, and we are working to ensure 100% of officers have body cameras and that all patrol cars have GPS,” Torres said. “One police force may be problematic, but it is unlikely that all of them are.”

Torres said Quintana Roo has made progress on public safety, including a 38% drop in intentional homicides. She said the first step was addressing the police force itself, and now officials are focusing on equipment and infrastructure.

“For years there were no new officers, no decent salaries, no training,” she said. “You cannot demand results if officers are not prepared. Now there is training, insurance, a police academy, and police are among the best paid in the country.”

The next phase involves strengthening surveillance systems, she said, including working with civil society to connect private cameras to the C5 security network.

“London has the most cameras of any city, but 90% are private and linked to the national surveillance system,” Torres said. “That is the direction we need to take. We have to replicate successful experiences.”