| Argentina: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Law Enforcement | ||
| Indicators | Score | |
| 80 | Is the law enforcement agency (i.e. the police) effective? | 67 |
| 81 | Can law enforcement officials be held accountable for their actions? | 83 |
Indicator and sub-Indicator Details
| 80 | Is the law enforcement agency (i.e. the police) effective? | |||||||
| 80a: In practice, appointments to the law enforcement agency (or agencies) are made according to professional criteria. | ||||||||
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Comments: Appointments are made through different exams (examen de ingreso). References: Law enforcement official (asked for anonymity), Aug. 10, 2007
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| 80b: In practice, the law enforcement agency (or agencies) has a budget sufficient to carry out its mandate. | ||||||||
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Comments: Sometimes the budget is not enough for equipment, such as bullets, patrol cars, fuel, bullet proof vests, etc. In some cases, this is the result of political will, and sometimes the result of corruption inside the enforcement agency. References: Law enforcement official (asked for anonymity), Aug. 10, 2007
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| 80c: In practice, the law enforcement agency is protected from political interference. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Law enforcement official (asked for anonymity), Aug. 10, 2007
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| 81 | Can law enforcement officials be held accountable for their actions? | |||||||
| 81a: In law, there is an independent mechanism for citizens to complain about police action. | ||||||||
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Comments: The Anti-Corruption Office has an internal mechanism trough which civil servants can complain about police actions. Attorneys and police stations may recive complaints as well. References: Ministries Law (Law 25233) Public Ministry organic Law (Law24946) Decree 102/99 denuncia@jus.gov.ar
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| 81b: In practice, the independent law enforcement complaint reporting mechanism responds to citizen's complaints within a reasonable time period. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Interview with Nicolás Dassen, expert on Anti-corruption affairs. Poder Ciudadano Foundation advisor. Telephone interview, Aug. 15, 2007
Peer Review Comments: I believe the reporting would be more thorough if it were complemented and sourced more often in the opinions of other experts and organizations other than Poder Ciudadano, especially some that have more specialization in certain areas as judicial or budgetary affairs.
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| 81c: In law, there is an agency/entity to investigate and prosecute corruption committed by law enforcement officials. | ||||||||
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Comments: The agencies available to initiate investigations on corruption committed by law enforcement officials are: The Anti-corruption Office, the National Administrative Attorney, and the Police department, which is responsible for opening "sumarios administrativos". References: Ministries Law (Law 25233) Public Ministry law (law 24946) decree 102/99 www.infoleg.gov.ar
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| 81d: In practice, when necessary, the agency/entity independently initiates investigations into allegations of corruption by law enforcement officials. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Law enforcement official (asked for anonymity), Aug. 10, 2007
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| 81e: In law, law enforcement officials are not immune from criminal proceedings. | ||||||||
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Comments: Law enforcement officials should be judged the same way as regular citizens. References: National Constitution www.infoleg.gov.ar
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| 81f: In practice, law enforcement officials are not immune from criminal proceedings. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Law enforcement official (asked for anonymity), Aug. 10, 2007
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