The Colombian police force will require officers to submit to polygraph tests in a bid to combat links developing between police and members of emerging criminal groups.
The planned measure is a response to NGO Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) concerns that the Colombian authorities are failing to deal with the rise of new violent groups which have taken the place of demobilized paramilitaries.
National Police Commissioner Oscar Naranjo said the technology will be used on police officers working in areas where criminal groups are known to be emerging. According to police there are six key groups working in 159 municipalities around the country, El Tiempo reported.
“There is an inventory of areas and a detailed monitoring of police commanders,” Naranjo said.
“Where there is drug trafficking and organized crime there is always corruption, but efforts are being made to combat this and ensure transparency and operational integrity,” he added.
The departments where police corruption and ties to criminal groups are greatest are Cordoba, Sucre, Antioquia, Choco, Cesar, Bolivar, Caqueta, Meta, Vichada and Guaviare, according to El Tiempo.
