vol. 51 núm. 1 (2009): enero - junio

This paper briefly describes official records of the National Police which, in turn, present the results of their operative activities in 2008 such as seizures dealing with crimes and offenses set in the Penal Code, rescue of kidnapped people, deactivation of explosive devices, vehicle recoupment, goods seizure and recoupment, among other activities of a high social impact and of public interest. Such results are summarized in tables containing number, frequency, percentage and rate which permit a detailed description of the role the National Police plays in the Colombian society not only in a reactive but also in a disuasive and preventive manner that helps to satisfy the security needs of Colombian people.

In order to alert police officers and citizens, this application of Poisson distribution was created. Such application shows the probability of homicide occurrence by municipality and year through an early warning system aimed at ameliorating this social predicament. Readers and government bodies may know in advance places in a situation of alert with a high probability of occurrence of ten or more homicides per 100,000 inhabitants (epidemic rate, OAS) in order to stop on time the likely growth of such a rate during 2009. The National Police information system on statistics, crime, offenses, and operations was used to carry out this research including the figures for common homicide recorded in the 2003-2008 period.

This paper analyzes the behavior of homicide in Colombia in the 2003-2006 period, during which the demobilization process of paramilitary groups was carried out, a fact that brought about a post-conflict scenario in the country. In the light of such a fact, this paper describes experiences also lived by countries that have held post-conflict scenarios – such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and North Ireland. This paper afterwards reflects upon the demobilization process as a likely cause that has contributed to the decrease of homicide rates; different factors such as government programs and democratic security policy explain such crime-rate decrease. The methodology used is an integration of qualitative and quantitative analysis.

This paper attempts to discuss determinant trends of people who have gone through traumatic experiences and considers them as being affected and passive victims of such traumatic events. This paper also analyzes concepts such as resistant personality, resilience and post-traumatic growth as a basis to exhibit how people involved in such tragic experiences may show responses not only adaptative to the situation but also [responses] that allow them to integrate such an experience to their own lives so as to bring about positive types of learning which, in turn, would permit them to successfully face adverse future events.

This paper attempts to give authorities a handbook that clarifies the purpose, aims and use of offense surveillance centers; the primary sources of information available; and the outcomes expected. Also, this paper poses some recommendations regarding design, implementation and operation of such surveillance centers. The paper is divided into five sections: the first clarifies what a surveillance center is and its functions; the second exhibits the factors that favor its creation and sustainability; the third focuses on its design and implementation; the fourth develops and exemplifies the information management chain and suggests some basic indicators about coexistence and security of all citizens; and the fifth proposes some conclusions and suggestions for the entities encouraging such surveillance centers.

This paper shows, on the one hand, the outcomes of an investigation in which the records of decisions made in special courts for young offenders in San Sebastián, Vitoria and Bilbao (Comunidad Autónoma Vasca, Spain) in 2003 are analyzed. From 2003 to 2007 those young drug consumers, who entered again in contact with the juvenile justice system, were observed. Such records exhibit legal, penal, and psychosocial variables. On the other hand, this paper shows two differentiated studies: the first corresponds to the profile of young drug-consumer offenders, a study in which particular groups of foreign non-accompanied young offenders are mentioned; the second identifies differences between drug consumer and non-consumer young offenders. The link of the offense with the consumption of nocive substances is analyzed, including the differential factor that leads to alcohol consumption to, finally, suggest a discussion regarding the challenges this problem may bring about.

All States coincide in monopolizing firearms in order to defend sovereignty, to guarantee independence and territorial integrity, and to fully embrace security of all citizens. Some countries such as Colombia, México and Venezuela set such principles in their constitutions. The 1991 Constitution sustained the supremacy of the executive branch in order to maintain public order, thus getting closer to a federal scheme; and set the postulates of a new order: a municipality is a basic autonomous entity as are its authorities; a mayor is the person responsible for public order and coexistence in his/her territory as chief police officer. The latter does not hold a legal status, and it is only sustained judicially by the Consejo de Estado from an administrative viewpoint. This issue has not deeply been covered by experts as there was no need to. However, sociopolitical circumstances that developed at the end of last century demand a thorough study to appropriately define the powers of majors as chief police officers. Our constitution coheres the executive branch with security and coexistence. The first holds the president as the main figure; the latter holds the president as the main actor. The Constitution, by granting mayors the responsibility to preserve public order in their territory and the status of chief police officers, allows them to order temporary disarmament of citizens, acting independently from the central government, for national security purposes; – and for such purposes – they hold the monopoly to control and market fire weapons, and grant citizens permits to carry them. Yet, decree 2535, dated 1993, which has the reach of an act – the legal regulator on the matter – violates the Constitution and juridical logic since it subordinates the mayors’ will to the discretional decision made by a military officer. In such an interim, the state has fallen prey to the game of waiting for the disarmament campaigns to bring about more results than the control activities themselves do, not being aware that by doing so the State debases itself – by blurring the role of the ruler –, loses its monopoly, and propitiates corruption in the midst of its security forces.

This paper, carried out under a psychosocial approach, reviews mental health issues associated to the postconflict stage from the Military Forces’ viewpoint. Abundant research carried out in other settings (USA) has proven that post-traumatic stress is one of the mental disorders commonly associated to ex-combatants. Thus, it is necessary to analyze the current mental health conditions of the Armed Forces ex-combatants and its impact on their lives. Likewise, this paper examines the importance of implementing a program that permits to develop research processes based on evidence applied to public health under primary-attention principles and community public health which, in turn, would lead to a fair reintegration of ex-combatants to the social context.

Drug trafficking has turned into the main desestabilization factor in Colombia as it has become the main financial source of terrorist groups. Also, drug trafficking has increased crime-related issues and social decomposition (loss of values, corruption, etc). Such a fact is a historical challenge for the National Police as they have led the fight against terrorism, a changing and dynamic crime. Currently, the National Police has a more sophisticated approach against terrorism and its related affairs, a strategy that has awarded worldwide recognition as the most experienced entity against drug trafficking given their performance and outcomes in the last four decades. Colombian military forces´ fight against such an issue, mainly by the National Police, has originated crucial changes in the behavior of drug trafficking lords. Emphasis must be placed on the disarticulation of narcotrafficking cartels; the direct relation to illegal armed groups (FARC, ELN, BACRIM) encompassing all the phases of the narco industry; the migration of traffickers to other countries thanks to Colombia’s police continued persecution; and many narcotraffick lords surrendering to US authorities to avoid the Colombian authorities’ actions and be granted legal benefits in that country.

This analysis contains a descriptive view of consolidated crime statistical data gathered by the National Police in 2008, which, in turn, uses statistics given by the Colombian Office of Criminal Research as a basis. Such statistics include tables per rate, percentages and rates of crimes set in the Penal Code such as homicide, burglary, blackmailing, kidnapping, among others. This paper is a source for all citizens as it may respond to some queries of public interest about criminality in Colombia: types of crimes, places, months, perpetrators and general data of victims, among others.