Two military police officers were arrested in the act for willful murder after the death of Igor Oliveira de Moraes Santos, 24, during an OM operation in the south of São Paulo, last Thursday (10). According to the corporation, body cameras images showed that the young man was shot even after surrendering, with his hands on his head. Colonel Emerson Massera, head of communication of the São Paulo PM, said on Friday (11) that the police “knew they were making mistakes and opted for it.” According to him, the corporation offers continuous training and therefore there is no technical justification for action.
“The images indicated that death did not occur within the exclusion of unlawfulness,” said Massera. “Just as we are relentless against crime, we do not condone errors or crimes made by police.” The technology of new body cameras was fundamental to record the episode. The equipment is automatically triggered by Bluetooth whenever a nearby camera is manually turned on. This made it possible to capture all the time of the shooting.
The police operation in Paraisópolis was triggered after a denunciation of trafficking. Four men fled to see the agents and hid in a residence. At the scene, three were arrested and one – Igor Oliveira – dead. According to the PM, hundreds of portions of drugs, money, a balance of precision and trafficking notes were seized.
Igor’s death caused revolt among the residents of the community, who conducted protests, burned objects and closed roads. During the clashes, a route police officer was shot at the shoulder and sent to the hospital. Another man, Bruno Leite – with tickets for trafficking and theft – was killed in confrontation with the police. To contain the disorders, the PM mobilized about 300 agents, including Rota, Special Operations Command (COE) and Shock Battalion. The region remains under strong surveillance.
A military police inquiry was instituted to investigate the facts. Despite the criticism, Massera ensured that the corporation’s action in the community will be maintained. “The Military Police will not go back to the fight against crime, even in the face of so many adversities,” he said.
São Paulo police ombudsman Mauro Caseri defended the expansion of body cameras throughout the staff and investing in non -lethal weapons, such as tassers and pepper sprays. He also warned of the need to discuss the working conditions and mental health of the police. In 2024, more than 800 people died in PM operations in the state – an increase of 63% over the previous year, according to data from the Ombudsman. Caseri classified this scenario as unacceptable and demanded society participation in the discussion on public safety.
Massera also highlighted the importance of authorities’ discourse on police actions. He said that public statements can be misunderstood by the base of the corporation and cited Governor Tarcisio de Freitas himself (Republicans), who on previous occasions has already admitted the influence of his lines on the behavior of PM agents.
