**Decades of Service in Tijuana’s Municipal Police, Now Facing Discrimination**
**Primary Article**
For decades, the retired and disabled officers of Tijuana’s Municipal Police have dedicated their lives to protecting their community. However, these former officers allege that they are now being discriminated against by the federal and municipal governments, as they have not received the salary increases provided to their active counterparts. They feel the police force no longer sees them as valuable, considering them a “burden” despite their years of service and sacrifices.
Manuel Castro, who began his police career in 2007 and had to leave in 2012 due to a spinal injury caused by being shot four times during a marijuana seizure, voiced his concerns, “There is no other explanation but discrimination due to disability. We have met with high officials, but they keep washing their hands of it. The wage increase was supposed to be general, but it excluded those who are retired and disabled.” Manuel’s permanent injury has left him undergoing four surgeries and living in constant pain. He receives only 6,500 pesos biweekly after taxes, which he finds unjust compared to the increases ranging from 690 to 2,000 pesos given to active officers.
Gilberto Jiménez Ruiz, incapacitated since 2010 due to blindness from a severe fall, earns 6,300 pesos biweekly, while Ana MarÃa Cortez, injured in 2010 during a high-speed chase, receives 5,600 pesos. These amounts are significantly lower than the 9,000 pesos given to new academy graduates. The affected officers estimate that 274 retired and disabled policemen are in similar situations.
Security Secretary José Fernando Sánchez González explained that the National Public Security System’s Executive Secretariat did not allow the use of federal resources to increase wages for retired and disabled officers. An alternative proposal includes using eight million pesos from municipal resources, but this requires city council approval. This responsibility is expected to be handed over to the incoming mayor, Ismael Burgueño Ruiz.
**Secondary Article**
**Tijuana Police Force Struggles with Inclusion and Fair Treatment**
In related news, the challenges extend beyond just the retired and disabled officers. The Tijuana Municipal Police force has been under scrutiny for several issues regarding the fair treatment and welfare of its officers. Reports have indicated an urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure all officers, irrespective of their service status, are treated equitably.
The new administration under incoming Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz is poised to address these systemic issues. Sources suggest that a detailed review of the police force’s policies is planned, aiming to introduce measures that promote inclusivity, fairness, and better resource allocation. This would not only cover wage disparities but also address the physical and mental health support for active and retired officers.
As Tijuana continues to evolve, ensuring the well-being of those who have served to protect the city becomes a vital part of its progress. The municipal government’s approach to addressing these issues will set a precedent for other cities facing similar challenges, highlighting the importance of valuing all service members, past and present.
Stay tuned for more updates on how these proposed changes could reshape the future of Tijuana’s Municipal Police force.