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The Mexican Secretariat of Public Security also known as the Ministry of Public Security has taken control over the Tulum Municipal police after two instances of public abuse cases were reported in just two weeks.
The first involved an El Salvador tourist who died while being arrested on a public street. The State Attorney General is investigating 4 Tulum police officers that were accused of applying excessive force which caused the woman to lose her life. The 3 male officers and 1 female officer were reportedly caught on video during the arrest allegedly showing excessive force by applying too much pressure on the woman.
All four officers are currently in jail awaiting their trial.
The second incident was caught on video by a citizen which allegedly showed a handcuffed young man being physically punched by an arresting officer after being detained and put in the back of the police unit.
Officials from the Ministry of Public Security have already sent the first 30 Tulum police officers to the State Academy of Public Security in Chetumal for specialized training, “since the citizens of Tulum deserve well-trained police officers.”
Tulum has recently caught national headlines as violence and shootings in the once tranquil city continue to make local headlines.
Homicides in Tulum increased w hopping 109% in 2018, surging from 11 to 23, before rising another 47.8% in 2019 to 34. The upward trend continued last year with homicides up 44.1% to 49.
Crimes including home burglaries, muggings, domestic violence and extortion have also increased over the past three years, while small-scale drug trafficking offenses soared 783% between 2019 and 2020, according to National Public Security System data.
Tulum also made headlines earlier this month when two parties and 5 hotels were shut down for not following Covid-19 protocols. In December Tulum also drew controversy after a musical festival became a COVID-19 super-spreader event infecting dozens of Americans.
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