Ecuador: Crime down in most categories states Minister of Security

elciudadano.gob.ec reported “62% of Ecuadorians are happy and feel safer in the country, because the public trust policies that have been implemented, which has also led to lower rates in almost all crimes” said the Security Coordinator, César Navas Vera, Minister referring to the report 2014 Americas Barometer, which takes place every two years crime surveys in 23 countries in the Americas, and placed the country as the second in perceived safety in the region.

Navas also reported on the strategic plans of the institution about security, declining murder rate, the budget of the organization, among other topics, during an interview with THE TELEGRAPH.

How do you rate reducing the homicide rate (8.0) in the country?

This index is historic, it was over 22 per 100,000 inhabitants at the beginning of this Government; To date, we have reduced by 300%. This indicator is incredible that identified us as a leader in the region. This achievement responds to various strategies that were consolidated in 2014 and will continue to strengthen this year.

What will be the priority in the management of the Ministry in 2015?

A strategic planning to address the comprehensive security that materialize through projects involving, for example, the National Police or the Armed Forces.
In addition, our management has focused on strengthening institutions of the Department of Risk Management and the ministries of Justice, Interior, Defense, Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Intelligence and ECU911. There are 7 institutions directly under the Ministry of Security Coordinator, with whom you work for policies in the field of security have this conception of integrity.

What the 2014 budget was spent and what the fate of the budget for 2015?

Last year’s budget was $ 510 million, which was invested in the implementation of all strategic plans and the Community Police Units (UPC), purchase of patrol vessels, aircraft, in the Department of Risk ECU911.
For 2015 we have adopted a pro forma of $ 527 million, which will continue construction of the UPC, equip Police ECU911 finish building the Galapagos, due to open by March; prosecutors build housing for police and military equipment besides the barracks.
The Defense Ministry is creating its unit cyberdefence to protect information handled in the country, is a national project which includes all state institutions, besides the Interior Ministry enlists the implementation of the new fighting unit against micro.

How many UPC be built until 2017?

We made a stakeout; 2015 UPC hope to build 200 more, we are prioritizing the buildings so there is a distribution to equity in all sectors. Install these units which have the greatest impact and should narrow the gap to conclude 1,188, which would be ideal.

What other sectors have been strengthened?

In the Department of Risk Management strengthened the decentralized system for municipalities or autonomous governments have the capacity not only to face the risks, but that the impact is less natural tragedies or serious accidents, for which are already established the protocols.
The Interior Ministry is one of the most successful since changed management model operating in the territory. Police now has police units that facilitate the community to be jointly responsible for the construction of public safety. It also has new patrol, the soldiers have armor and weapons, which contributes to their self-esteem, which translates into better management.

How is working with the Armed Forces?

The Armed Forces living a historic moment, as they have recovered their operational capacity by 15% compared to 2013; We have joined the fleet of three aircraft Hunting logistics transport, 12 ships Super Tucano for border control, which have the ability to fly over specific areas to see if there incursions or drug crops.
They rejoined the service two submarines that had completed their lifecycle and needed more maintenance, which was supported by the Chilean Navy. When operating at full capacity in the navy and help control the sovereignty of the territorial sea, considering that in 2014 finally closed all land and sea borders.

Are the Armed Forces will contribute to public safety?

The Armed Forces maintain their primary mission, which is to defend the territorial sovereignty; however, they will complement its contribution to security issues, which have always been present building the country’s security. Here there will be a big change, they’ll be where the state needs them.

This requires a constitutional reform will take place …

Yes, Article 158 of the Constitution. The amendment refers to the complementarity of the Armed Forces on issues of comprehensive security of the state, but again, does not mean a big change, helicopters currently help put out fires, their trucks are also used for evacuations, the Navy has evacuation units Medical Galapagos, our Navy and Marine Police executed joint operations at sea; we have destroyed more than 5000 guns product Armed Forces operatives and National Police, working together. The military is dedicated to protecting pipelines, border patrol. Do not fight enemies from another country, we are facing very dynamic asymmetric threats such as large-scale smuggling, drug trafficking, organized crime.

Are you are evaluating the Armed Forces?

We try to optimize the material and human resources. Each force is making an assessment of their work. For example, the Navy must grow, as new threats that will be faced at sea involving naval strengthen this institution so that it will join the fight against drug trafficking and maritime control. But there will be other distributions will have to go by reducing a bit, basically a projected 2025 plan, which is to be diminishing in technical terms the number of admissions, no purchases of resignations.

In the Assembly handles the new Security Institutions Code What is your opinion?

They are complementary to the activities undertaken by military and police organizations. Some try to distort the meaning of these organisms claiming to be created armed authorities; what we do is regularize, standardize and professionalize through a career plan, these entities currently exist, but they lack the incentive or growth, or have no clear their names.
The Code seeks to formalize their specialty, there are no distortions. There firefighters in provinces that do not earn even the basic salary, we need to have more equity.

But who depend on these new entities?

The units depend on the ministries to which currently are: for example, prison guards continue depending on the Ministry of Justice and the Transit Commission, the ANT. In the case of detectives Interior Ministry are being structured to have a logic to their performance, the same goes for the amendments to the Law of Personnel of the Armed Forces, whose concerns are already eliminate with, although it is They realized that a military theme. The opposition tried to lift dust where none exists. The Code standardize protocols allow and encourage the modernization of the Armed Forces.

THINKING OF MOVING TO ECUADOR – READ THIS BOOK FOR INFORMATION ON SAFETY AND SECURITY

Within the border control, what has been the progress of binational cabinets with Peru and Colombia?

We now have four border crossings with Colombia to be established until 2017, and 39 informal greater control steps will be undertaken to prevent illegal activities such as smuggling fuel, illegal mining, arms trafficking, trafficking develop. All these controls are realized with coordinated operational through Combifron. The year before we deliver to Colombia over 25 most wanted criminals and received six of the most sought who were in the neighboring country. / The Telegraph. Read Article