## CEDHBC Issues Recommendation to Tijuana Police for Illegal Detention and Torture
Tijuana—The Baja California State Human Rights Commission (CEDHBC) has issued Recommendation 5/2024 to the Tijuana Municipal Public Security and Citizen Protection Secretariat (SSPCM). Ombudsperson Jorge Ochoa stated that this recommendation was delayed to avoid influencing the electoral period, and it arose due to several violations of legal security, personal freedom, and physical integrity resulting from illegal and arbitrary detention, including torture and inhumane treatment against an individual.
### Incident Summary
On September 19, 2020, at approximately 11:22 PM, the victim (V) was outside his house located at Address 1, accompanied by his girlfriend and friends. While V was sitting in the back of a pickup truck with his girlfriend, and his friends were chatting nearby, police officers from the Tijuana Municipal Police arrived in two official vehicles and stopped near the group.
Officer AR1 exited the passenger side of Vehicle 1 and approached V. He grabbed V by the arm and neck, forcing him to stand and then pushing him onto the hood of a nearby red pickup truck. At this point, Officer AR2 joined in, holding V’s right shoulder, while another officer from Vehicle 2 held his left shoulder, allowing AR1 to place handcuffs on V.
V was then taken to a vacant lot, where he reported being repeatedly beaten and interrogated about a wallet allegedly belonging to AR1. V claimed that during an earlier interaction on the same day, he had ended up with AR1’s wallet.
Around 3:00 AM on September 20, 2020, V was presented to the Public Ministry for potential drug-related charges. He sustained injuries, including a 0.5 mm red laceration on his inner lip, a 1 cm x 2.5 cm red excoriation on his right anterior thorax, and a 0.5 mm x 3 cm red excoriation on his right posterior hip.
The Public Ministry deemed the arrest illegal and released V on September 21, 2020. On September 22, 2020, V filed a complaint with the Baja California State Attorney General against the officers for abuse of authority.
### CEDHBC Recommendations to SSPCM
In response, the CEDHBC made several recommendations to the SSPCM, including:
1. Providing medical and psychological care to V.
2. Assigning a liaison with the Baja California State Executive Commission for Victim Assistance to develop a reparations project and expedite full reparations for the victim.
3. Holding a working group with relevant authorities to review the SSPCM’s administrative protocols and guidelines within Tijuana delegations.
4. Publishing the recommendation on the institutional website.
5. Adding the recommendation to the personnel files of the implicated officers.
## Related News on Police Misconduct
### Tijuana Among Mexican Cities with Highest Police Suicide Rates
Recent studies reveal a disturbing trend, highlighting Tijuana as one of the cities in Mexico with the highest rates of police suicides. Mental health advocacy groups are calling for urgent reforms and wellness programs to address this growing concern.
### Investigation Launched into Alleged Criminal Involvement of BC Police Officers
Authorities are currently investigating several Baja California municipal police officers for their potential involvement in criminal activities. This investigation follows allegations that seven Ensenada officers assisted in the escape of criminals who committed a high-impact crime earlier this year.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms and stronger oversight within law enforcement agencies to prevent further violations of human rights and to restore public trust in the police forces.
For more updates on this and other local news, stay tuned to TJGringo.com.