Article in Estadão: “Wave of police violence shows São Paulo needs a new secretary of Public Security”

The following article, authored by Patrícia Villela Marino, was originally published in the Opinion section of the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo on December 14.

On Monday, December 9, the President of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Luís Roberto Barroso, mandated the compulsory use of body cameras by police officers in the State of São Paulo.

This measure was taken following the brutal episodes of police violence that have shocked not only the citizens of São Paulo but all Brazilians. Minister Barroso’s decision supports a resolution from January this year by the National Council on Criminal and Penitentiary Policy (CNPCP), an advisory body to the Minister of Justice, of which I am honored to be a member. The resolution recommended the mandatory use of body cameras by military and civil police officers, municipal guards, correctional officers, firefighters, and private security agents.

The events that came to light last week underscore the urgency of concrete measures to reverse the escalation of brutality that has put public security in the state at risk. Scenes such as the killing of a young Black man shot in the back by an off-duty police officer or the inhumane act of throwing a man off a bridge during a police operation have horrified the nation. Captured by cell phone and security cameras, these episodes have reignited the urgency of implementing mandatory body cameras for law enforcement officers. Without the shocking footage we have seen, such cases could have been justified under claims of self-defense, perpetuating a cycle of impunity.

São Paulo’s security crisis is exacerbated by the stance of Governor Tarcísio de Freitas and his Secretary of Public Security, Guilherme Derrite, who persist in labeling extreme violence as “isolated cases.” This ignores the 78% increase in deaths caused by police officers on duty, which is not an occasional anomaly but a symptom of a carefully orchestrated public security policy. Data shows that police lethality disproportionately affects young Black men and residents of marginalized communities, exposing a systemic pattern of disregard for life and human rights.

The CNPCP resolution recommends the use of body cameras by all public and private security agents, with recordings throughout their shifts and a minimum storage period of three months. This measure aims to ensure transparency, protect officers, promote proportional use of force, and safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights. Despite being based on scientific studies, the recommendation was previously rejected by São Paulo’s governor, showing ideological resistance to adopting practices that foster accountability and external oversight of police activities.

Body cameras are more than just a monitoring tool; they are an essential measure to promote transparency and restore public trust in law enforcement. These devices serve as instruments for recording and evidence, strengthen external control of police forces, and assist prosecutors in investigating abuses, ensuring accountability in cases of misconduct.

The Ministry of Justice has taken an important step by tying the allocation of funds for purchasing these devices to adherence to protocols ensuring the continuous use of cameras. This helps standardize practices that protect fundamental rights and promote a more effective and humane public security system. However, São Paulo’s government actions remain insufficient. The governor’s recent admission of errors, after previously opposing the use of cameras, has not translated into effective measures. Words without action will not save lives.

It is urgent for São Paulo’s government to implement body cameras broadly and mandatorily, as recommended by the CNPCP and the Ministry of Justice. The continued tenure of the current Secretary of Public Security is a clear obstacle to these changes. His administration symbolizes resistance to adopting practices that protect citizens’ rights and safeguard police officers themselves.

Public security demands leadership committed to life, rights, and justice. The STF’s mandate for the use of body cameras is commendable, but it requires further action that signals, from the highest levels of command to the ground forces, that abuses will not be tolerated.

Opinion by Patrícia Villela Marino
A member of the National Council on Criminal and Penitentiary Policy, she is the President of the Humanitas360 Institute.