Thread: Mexican police cadets strike over killings

Mexican police cadets strike over killings
The Dallas Morning News
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.16.2008
MEXICO CITY — Drug traffickers are suspected in the killings of Mexico's future police commanders before they can even emerge from the much-touted academy that is supposed to transform them into world-class officers.
In the past two weeks, five officers-in-training have been gunned down while traveling to and from the Public Security Superior Academy in the central state of San Luis Potosi.
Analysts said the new tactic was a warning to both the cadets and the government, which is waging an unprecedented fight against drug cartels.
"These groups no longer have any fear that by attacking police there will be some type of retribution," said Mexico City police instructor Arturo Yanez, a former adviser to the federal attorney general's office. "Their only limit is their imagination."
The attacks sparked a partial strike this week by some academy students, who are demanding the right to carry guns and are calling for police roadblocks to intercept drug gunmen.
In an open letter to Public Security Minister Genaro Garcia Luna, the strike leaders complained that students have been left defenseless in the face of drug hit squads that operate in and around the state capital, also called San Luis Potosi.
"They commissioned us to San Luis Potosi to be trained, when in reality they put us at the disposition of organized crime," said the letter, which was also sent by cadets to journalists. "Five of our colleagues have been executed in a cowardly and criminal act, unable to defend themselves since our superiors force us to leave our weapons behind when we travel."
The letter said the cadets, who number between 800 and 1,000, are first-time students training to be federal police and current officers from different law enforcement groups around the country. They are taking part in a one-year program designed to elevate the commander corps of Mexico's often-criticized police forces. Graduation is in six weeks.


http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/253001

Strike ??? Do you think the Cartels will support it ? You knew what you where getting into so nut up or quit . Besides , we've got most of your scum drug runners over here . Our police ain't running and hiding