Brazil’s National Federation of Federal Highway Police Officers (FenaPRF) welcomed Senate approval of the Public Security Amendment and said its implementation must preserve the agency’s expanded role while providing the resources needed to carry it out.
The amendment, which is to be promulgated by the National Congress, places the Unified Public Security System in the Constitution and broadens the responsibilities of security forces. It is intended to strengthen coordination between the federal government and state governments.
The measure recognizes the Federal Highway Police as the Union’s uniformed police force and extends officers’ remit to logistical routes, including railways and waterways, as well as other areas of federal interest. It also allows the force to issue records of minor offenses, known as Terms of Circumstantial Occurrence (TCOs).
Under the amendment, all police forces may draw up these records at the scene, without having to go to a Civil Police station. The federation said the new responsibilities must be matched by adequate infrastructure for officers and funding proportionate to the Federal Highway Police’s expanded duties.
“FenaPRF will remain mobilized and attentive to the next steps for PEC 18/2025, which will now be sent for promulgation, so that the gains achieved are preserved and accompanied by the conditions necessary for their implementation,” the federation said in a statement.
Sources: Folha Poder.