Commission of the São Paulo Bar Association (OAB-SP) warns of increasing police lethality and advocates for the use of body cameras
Report by the Special Public Security Commission criticizes budget cuts and ineffective operations, proposing a review of security policies in the State of São Paulo
Foto: Governo do Estado de São Paulo
In a report released this Friday (20), the Special Public Security Commission of the São Paulo Bar Association (2022-2024) highlights the worrying escalation of police lethality in the state of São Paulo and recommends expanding the use of body cameras by police officers, among other measures.
The Commission highlights the effectiveness of these devices, whose adoption led to a 62.7% reduction in mortality from police interventions between 2019 and 2022. However, the report criticizes budget cuts to the camera program: “Once elected, Tarcísio de Freitas cut 37% of the budget allocated to the camera project, making it impossible to expand the use of the equipment among police forces. The Secretary of Public Security, Guilherme Derrite, also made statements opposing the program and advocated for the easing of mechanisms to monitor police activity.” It says in the document.
The report also highlights the ineffectiveness of the operations Escudo and Verão, which resulted in 77 deaths in the Baixada Santista region and led to numerous reports of rights violations. The Commission also advocates for a review of public security policies, with the adoption of less-lethal strategies, greater respect for human rights, and the promotion of social participation.
The recommendations made by the Commission:
The use of body cameras by police officers
It is necessary to implement regulations for continuous recording, data storage for up to one year, and access by institutions such as the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Additionally, investments should be made in the use of cameras across the board in operational units and to establish agreements for assessing results, ensuring evidence of their effectiveness.
Reinforcement of mechanisms to provide training on the use of force and monitoring within the police forces
The Risk Mitigation Commissions should be reinstated in order to provide training on the reasonable use of force and less-lethal equipment. Furthermore, monitoring bodies should be reinforced with greater transparency and an independent inspection mechanism composed of external entities should be set up.
A review by the state government of the policy on the use of force in police confrontations
The state policy should adopt principles of reasonable force and minimal lethality, ensure the continuous use of body cameras, and reform police training to include de-escalation techniques and human rights education.
Setting up support and safeguarding mechanisms for the victims of police violence
It is essential to bolster ombudsman offices and human rights commissions to provide psychological and legal support to victims, ensuring the investigation of abuses and access to justice.
Bolstering the São Paulo Police Ombudsman
It is recommended to bolster the existing Ombudsman Office by expanding its team, structure, and access to information, as well as ensuring the Ombudsman’s safety. The creation of a parallel ombudsman office should be ruled out.
The institutional importance of the Public Prosecutor´s Office as an external monitoring body
The Public Prosecutor’s Office should bolster the GAESP, establish decentralized units, conclude pending investigations, and update the recommendation for the use of body cameras, ensuring transparency and safeguarding human rights.
Composition of the Commission
The São Paulo Bar Association Public Security Commission is made up of experts in public security, including representatives of Conectas: Carolina Diniz (coordinator of the Institutional Violence Program), Gabriel Sampaio (director of Litigation and Advocacy) and Marcos Fuchs (Administration and Finance director). The chairman of the Conectas Board of Directors, Theo Dias, is the vice-chairman of the Commission. The other members of the Commission are: Alberto Zacharias Toron (chairman), Tarsila Tojal (secretary-general) and Cíntia Isawa (deputy secretary). The following are members and advisors of the Commission: Amarilis Costa, Beatriz Lourenço, Carlos César Marera, Carolina Ricardo, Cristiano Maronna, Daniel Edler Duarte, Damazio Gomes da Silva, Fernanda Balera, João Paulo Martinelli, Juliana Borges, Maria Sylvia de Oliveira, Maurício de Oliveira Campos Júnior and Thiago de Souza Amparo.
