Governors from the South and Southeast regions expressed concern about the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) on Public Security, proposed by the federal government at the beginning of this month.
The observation was made by state managers during the 12th meeting of the South and Southeast Integration Consortium (Cosud), held this Saturday (23), in Santa Catarina.
The PEC, presented by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and Minister Ricardo Lewandowski, proposes a Unified Public Security System (Susp) along the lines of the SUS.
Susp is currently established by ordinary law, but has never been effectively implemented. The proposal also foresees changes in the powers of the Federal Police (PF) and the Federal Highway Police (PRF). The federal government says that the proposal is not closed and that it wants to gather suggestions from states and municipalities for improvement.
“Uncertainties” with the Public Security PEC
In the Florianópolis Letter, signed by state representatives, the governors highlighted that the Security PEC could bring “uncertainties” and criticized the possible centralization of security management, which they consider harmful to the efficiency of state actions. They highlighted that the regions already have effective systems and that public security must respect regional differences and strengthen local action capacity.
Participants praised initiatives such as the Digital Inquiry and data integration through the Integrated Public Security System (Sisp), which promise to optimize investigations and police decisions, but listed other measures that they consider inefficient or harmful to the states. They reinforced the need for greater federal support in combating organized crime, especially at borders, without interfering with consolidated state structures.
In addition to the Security PEC, the meeting addressed topics such as the creation of Bancosud, a development bank focused on regional development, and the modernization of the railway network. The acting governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Gabriel Souza, highlighted the importance of the consortium in joining efforts, representing around 70% of Brazilian GDP.
The Charter also suggested improvements in criminal and criminal procedural legislation, defending complementary actions between the Union and states. The next Cosud meeting is scheduled for March 2025, in Paraná.
The governors and representatives who participated in the 12th Cosud meeting, held in Florianópolis, were:
- Ratinho Junior – Governor of Paraná
- Jorginho Mello – Governor of Santa Catarina
- Gabriel Souza – Acting Governor of Rio Grande do Sul (representing Eduardo Leite)
- Tarcísio de Freitas – Governor of São Paulo
- Romeu Zema – Governor of Minas Gerais
- Cláudio Castro – Governor of Rio de Janeiro
- Renato Casagrande – Governor of Espírito Santo
