**Tijuana’s Oversight Agency Inherits Hundreds of Complaints Against Previous Administration**
The Oversight Agency of Tijuana has taken on a daunting task, having inherited 536 complaints from the former administration of the 25th Municipal Government. Teresita de Jesús Balderas Beltrán, the head of the agency, shared that the majority of these complaints involve Municipal Police officers and are currently under investigation.
Balderas Beltrán emphasized the importance of adhering to proper procedures, stating, “We are reviewing the complaints to ensure they follow all necessary protocols to determine if administrative sanctions are warranted.” Many of these complaints involve allegations of police misconduct, including abuse of power, excessive force, violation of protocols, solicitation of bribes, and extortion.
One pressing issue is the lack of contact details for complainants, complicating the agency’s efforts to follow through with investigations. “Without contact numbers, we’re unable to reach out to citizens for further information,” Balderas Beltrán noted.
In the first 24 days of the current municipal administration, between 20 and 25 new complaints have been filed, all reportedly related to events that transpired under the previous administration. The most recurrent issues are linked to alleged bribe requests and misuse of force during police operations.
The Oversight Agency is also addressing the backlog by reviewing complaints from September—the last month of the former administration—where around 80 cases had incomplete integration, hindering due process.
Aside from police-related issues, the agency is also tackling allegations of corruption within other municipal departments of Tijuana’s 24th Administration.
Adding to their responsibilities, the agency has seen citizens approaching them to request reductions of traffic fines. While all cases involve official infraction notices, allegations of officers demanding bribes during traffic stops have surfaced.
The situation underscores the necessity for Tijuana to establish its own police training academy to deal adequately with these recurrent issues, as suggested by the local Security Council.
**Secondary Article: Rising Concerns Over Crime and Policing in Tijuana**
The challenges facing Tijuana are emblematic of broader issues within the region concerning law enforcement and public safety. Tijuana has been identified as one of the cities with a high number of police suicides, highlighting mental health pressures within the force. Additionally, calls for increased funding for crime prevention initiatives reflect growing public demand for safer communities.
As the city grapples with these pressing issues, local authorities continue to push for comprehensive solutions, like the establishment of a dedicated police training academy, to better equip officers with the skills and knowledge necessary to serve their community effectively.
With ongoing border tensions and a significant increase in deportations from the United States, the local government faces increasing pressure to address these interrelated challenges that impact both the safety and economic stability of the region.