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Brazil Security Forces
Article 144 of the 1988 constitution states that the public safety
function is to be exercised through the following agencies: on a
national level, the Federal
Police (Polícia Federal--PF), the Federal Highway
Police, and the Federal Railroad
Police; and on a state
level, the Civil Police (Polícia Civil--PC), the Military
Police, and military fire departments. In practice the Federal Railroad
Police are nonexistent, and federal highways are under Federal Police
control. State highways and traffic police are under state Military
Police control. The Federal Police force is very small and plays
only a minor role in maintaining internal security. Police forces
in Brazil are controlled largely by the states. Of the two principal
state police forces, the Civil Police have an investigative role,
and the uniformed Military Police are responsible for maintaining
public order.
Data as of April 1997
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