During an interview with Jornal da Manhã, from Jovem Pan News, Colonel Cássio Araújo de Freitas spoke about the case of a man thrown from the bridge and promised a ‘new stance’ from the police
In an interview, the General Commander of Colonel Cássio Araújo de Freitas, addressed critical issues related to police violence and the challenges faced by the corporation. He acknowledged that despite serious incidents involving police officers, such as the case of a man thrown from a bridge and the death of a four-year-old boy in a shooting, these are considered individual mistakes and do not reflect the institution as a whole. The Colonel emphasized that the São Paulo Military Police, with more than 100 thousand members, has intensified protocols and training to prevent such occurrences, maintaining an error rate of less than 1% in more than 30 million calls. “These cases are treated as cases of personal mistakes. The individualization of these police officers and the mitigating or aggravating circumstances are being investigated”, he declared.
Colonel Freitas detailed the procedure for investigating and penalizing police officers involved in misconduct. He stated that the Military Police Internal Affairs Office acts quickly, opening investigations even before images are released, as in the case of the police officer who threw a man off the bridge. The Commander highlighted that, in addition to the legal consequences, there are also administrative consequences that can lead to the dismissal of the police officer, if misconduct is proven. He highlighted the importance of emotional control and a responsible attitude among police officers, especially in professions that deal with human lives.
Regarding the impact of police violence on vulnerable communities, Colonel Freitas stated that the Military Police maintains a history of good service provision in these areas, carrying out emergency actions and assistance. He acknowledged that episodes of violence affect the institution’s image, but assured that the corporation will continue working to maintain the population’s trust. The Commander highlighted that the presence of the police in vulnerable communities is essential to guarantee the safety and well-being of residents, and that continuous efforts are made to improve this relationship. “It is clear that episodes like this tarnish the image of the institution. But our response will be to continue the work. We will continue to work for people regardless of where they live. Our work is a public service. We will continue to work closer together so that our trust is not lost”, stated the colonel.
Regarding the use of the Commander defended its importance for improving operational procedures and forming evidence. He highlighted that the strategy of using cameras is an initiative of the São Paulo Military Police itself, in force for more than a decade. According to Colonel Freitas, the cameras have proven to be effective not only in collecting evidence, but also in protecting the police officers themselves against false accusations. The implementation of this technology is seen as an important step towards increasing transparency and accountability within the corporation.
*With information from Jornal da Manhã
*Report produced with the help of AI
