Understanding the Fica Vivo programme: two-tiered community policing in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Abstract

This paper analyzes the efficacy of the Fica Vivo homicide control programme in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Our data shows that the programme encountered significant success in reducing homicides, as a result of its innovative two-tiered structure in which community-oriented policing units operated in conjunction with state-administered social programmes led by civil servants at each of the programme sites. These efforts helped to build local capacity to respond to violence and work with state officials, helped the police engage with residents in efforts to control violence, and enabled residents to hold police to account for local crime control efforts.

Keywords:

• community
• police
• crime
• mobilising

Notes

1. Translator's note: Literally ‘Fica Vivo’ means ‘Stay Alive!’ but it also has connotations of ‘Stay Alert!’

2. Arias (2006); in the African context see Baker (2009); also see Kyed (2009, p. 356).

3. For an excellent discussion of the challenges facing community-oriented police reforms in Latin America, see Frühling (2003).

4. This Fica Vivo programme was a result of an extended effort going back some time that had led to good relations between academics and police as well as an emerging consensus among political leaders in the state of Minas Gerais in the city of Belo Horizonte.

5. Despite its name, the PMMG is the main uniformed civilian police force in the state of Minas Gerias. It takes on most public policing functions leaving investigations to the uniformed Polícia Civil (Civil Police). The separation of functions between the two forces in Minas, and every other state, is laid out in Brazil's 1989 constitution.

6. Source: CRISP UFMG/2000.

7. Brazil's police forces are divided within each state between a military police force that, despite its name, is a civilian police force that carries out uniformed public safety activities and a plain clothed investigative civil police force.

8. On problems with political consensus in implementing police reform in Brazil, see Hinton (2006).

9. Interview with the Cabana do Pai Tomas Community Leader, 23 August 2005.

10. Interview with community leader, Cabana do Pai Tomas, 23 August 2005.

11. Interview with regional battalion commander, August 2005.

12. Interview with resident who runs community group, 24 August 2005.

13. Interview with X, Cabana do Pai Tomas Nucleos Coordinator, July 2006.

14. Interview with X, Cabana do Pai Tomas Nucleos Coordinator, July 2006.