After becoming enraged, in the words of an assistant, with the , the governor (Republicans) asked for changes in the conduct of public security in São Paulo and changed his own tone when talking about the subject, but without revising his hard-line stance or moving away from the agenda Bolsonaro supporters associated with the topic.
The exhaustion with cases of brutality by the PM fueled opposition to the governor and, behind the scenes, some secretaries admit that the climate within the government is tense — others claim that there is no crisis.
There is concern, however, not to detach from the traditional discourse of allies of () in defense of tough actions by the police and supporting the corporation.
Tarcísio’s aides say that the position of Secretary of Public Security has never been at risk and that the problem will end if there is exemplary punishment and no new excesses occur. The changes requested by the governor do not include changing names.
Tarcísio and Derrite met this Wednesday afternoon (4) in the office that the São Paulo government maintains in Brasília. There, the governor ordered the secretary to promote effective changes in the PM to avoid new incidents.
At Palácio dos Bandeirantes, the understanding is that Tarcísio gave a clear message about the change of tone due to the fact that both he, Derrite and the general commander of the PM, Cássio Araújo de Freitas, took to social media to condemn the PMs involved in excesses.
An interlocutor of Bolsonaro, however, said he assessed that the wear and tear could still escalate, that the former president does not consider Bolsonaro’s Derrite as his recommendation and that he will not intercede for his permanence.
The message, however, was not understood in this way by the governor’s base in the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo (Alesp) nor by some of the state secretaries interviewed by the report.
In the morning, in Brasília, Tarcísio refused to respond about the series of recent cases of violence by the PM, but, instead. “Look at the numbers, you will see that [ele] You’re doing a good job.”
The secretary wants to be a candidate for the Senate in 2026 and is treated as such by Tarcísio in private conversations. Firing Derrite, allies say, would “burn” him and undermine this plan.
In the understanding of allies, the message published by Tarcísio on the networks was quick and did not displease the Bolsonarist base in the case of the Cidade Ademar region, in the south zone of the capital of São Paulo.
On social media, both Tarcísio and Derrite were harsh with the soldiers involved, but reinforcing the corporation’s defense. The governor stated that the police officer responsible for the abuse “is not up to wearing” the uniform of the institution, which “values its professionalism”.
The tone is different from the one adopted in March this year, when the governor launched Operation Summer, which officially left 56 people dead in Baixada Santista. “Honestly, we are very calm about what is being done. And then people can go to the UN, the Justice League, whatever the hell I don’t care,” he said at the time.
The demonstration also contrasts with the governor’s previous stance, involving security and involving Bolsonaro.
At Palácio dos Bandeirantes, Tarcísio did not hide his actions and demanded measures from his direct assistants.
The defense of the government in Alesp was the responsibility of Tarcísio’s Bolsonarist base, while other allies preferred to distance themselves from the crisis. Even in this group, which includes former PMs, there is consensus about . The expectation of these deputies is that the PM command will reorganize the bases of the battalions to avoid new excesses.
“I talk a lot with Derrite. He has always been a very dedicated police officer. This is the time for commanders to get closer to the police, guiding and educating the troops. Through instruction and study it is possible to reduce collateral damage”, said the state deputy Major Mecca (PL).
Deputies close to the governor but not aligned with Bolsonarism recognize that the moment is critical, although they consider there to be .
“The governor’s stance is very clear. Public security cannot be as it was before, it needs to be very tough, but tough in the right way”, declared Barros Munhoz (PSDB).
Members of Tarcísio’s base claim that dismissing Derrite is not in the governor’s profile, but that he must make a political calculation of the negative effects of the shielding.
opposition deputies mobilized in Alesp. Carlos Giannazi (PSOL) submitted a summons from Derrite to the Public Security Commission and Guilherme Cortez (PSOL) filed a representation with the Public Ministry asking for the secretary’s removal.
Giannazi states that despite the pressure for the secretary to leave, he doubts that anything can happen since “Derrite is Tarcísio’s strong man”. “With Derrite, he can nod to the far right.”
The deputy says he believes that, to respond to the public security crisis, the governor must “play a double game”. “He intends to run for office in 2026 and, to do so, he needs this far-right electorate, but at the same time he has to wink at the center,” he states.
