2025 09 02

Name: 2025 09 02
Uploaded: 2025-09-02T23:08:50.000Z
Duration: 4 h 46 min 33 s

Introduction to the Seminar

Overview of the Session

The seminar focuses on an integral approach to institutional violence, concluding a series of three classes. A brief recess is planned before resuming bi-weekly sessions.

Guest Speaker Introduction

Dr. Bruno Leónidas Rosini is introduced as a knowledgeable guest speaker, replacing Máximo Soso for this session. He has significant academic credentials despite his youth.

Dr. Rosini's Background and Expertise

Academic Credentials

Dr. Rosini holds degrees in law from the National University of Litoral and a master's in criminology and security from the University of Valencia, along with a Master of Law from South Carolina Law School.

Professional Experience

He serves as a technical advisor in criminal law and has experience with the American Civil Liberties Union in California, focusing on police practices and institutional management within security ministries in Argentina.

Key Themes of Today's Discussion

Focus on Police Institutions

The discussion will center around police as an institution that plays a crucial role in daily life, often normalized through habitual interactions by community members or professionals.

Evolution of Modern Policing

Dr. Rosini emphasizes that modern policing is not static; it evolves based on different governance models and territorial contexts, challenging common perceptions about its nature and function.

Differentiating Police from Policing Practices

Conceptual Framework

A key distinction is made between "police" (the institution) and "policing" (a set of practices), which allows for deeper analytical insights into how these concepts interact within society according to Alina Ríos' proposal.

Importance of Distinction

This differentiation aids understanding by framing police as bureaucratic entities authorized to use force while recognizing that policing extends beyond formal institutions into broader societal practices and discourses related to security needs.

Implications for Understanding Police Functions

Institutional Analysis

Viewing police through an institutional lens provides clarity regarding their roles defined by political designs or norms aimed at specific functions within society, allowing for critical evaluation of their effectiveness and purpose.

This structured summary captures essential points discussed during the seminar while providing timestamps for easy reference back to specific moments in the transcript.

Understanding Police as an Institution

The Role of Police in Security Analysis

The concept of police as an institution allows for a broader analysis within the field of policing, enabling theoretical and analytical freedom to discuss security reconfiguration.

While police are significant actors in security models, they are no longer the sole contributors, highlighting the need to recognize various influences on security approaches.

Characteristics of Police Institutions

Police institutions tend to be opaque, creating barriers to external scrutiny and fostering a "us vs. them" mentality that complicates democratic oversight efforts.

Within police institutions exist inherent tensions and contradictions; they are not monolithic but rather complex entities with diverse values and positions.

Defining the Complexity of Police

Defining what constitutes a police force is challenging due to ongoing debates among specialists regarding its core identity and characteristics.

Historical perspectives suggest that state control over security has been anomalous, with various actors historically involved in population control and conflict management.

Historical Context of Policing

The historical monopoly of state-led security measures raises questions about the legitimacy and evolution of police roles throughout history.

Early agricultural colonies managed their own protection tasks, indicating a shift from community-based safety measures to state-controlled policing structures.

Challenges in Studying Police Institutions

As states consolidated power, alternative models challenged the notion that only the state could guarantee safety, complicating definitions of police.

The study of police as a social science object is relatively recent; initial research focused on empirical functions within societies rather than normative frameworks.

Functions: Manifest vs. Latent

Early studies aimed at understanding whether stated functions matched actual practices within policing institutions led to critical insights into their operations.

Merton's distinction between manifest (stated intentions) and latent (actual outcomes) functions highlights discrepancies between perceived roles and real-world actions taken by police forces.

Perceptions of Policing

Initial conclusions from early studies challenge common myths surrounding policing—specifically, that they primarily manage crime rather than engage in broader societal roles.

Understanding Police Work and Its Societal Implications

The Role of Police in Society

The discussion begins with the notion that thinking about crime necessitates considering the police as a central institution responsible for managing it, though the term "combat" is deemed inappropriate.

A critical observation is made regarding the mythical perception of police work, which does not accurately reflect their actual duties or how their workload is distributed in reality.

It is emphasized that understanding policing involves recognizing it as part of broader practices aimed at regulating security phenomena, often linked to social conflicts—some criminal and others not.

Policing Beyond Crime

Officers express frustration over their roles, stating they often act as social workers and deal with mental health crises, highlighting a more realistic view of police responsibilities within communities.

This perspective challenges traditional views of police merely as uniformed state officials focused on security, suggesting a shift towards understanding policing as encompassing various practices aimed at reducing social conflict.

Importance of Practical Understanding

Transitioning from a narrow view of police functions to recognizing diverse practices helps identify areas where abuses occur and conditions leading to institutional violence.

Analyzing practical dimensions allows for realistic diagnostics essential for designing public policies aimed at mitigating sources of institutional violence rather than relying solely on normative reforms.

Reforming Policing Practices

Emphasizing practical implications over mere legal changes is crucial; without addressing concrete actions within policing, reform agendas may fail to reduce abuse effectively.

The speaker stresses the need for realistic assessments in public safety policy design to ensure strategies can generate meaningful change in real-world contexts.

Challenges in Implementing Change

Policymaking requires acknowledging that effective policing stems from understanding its operational realities rather than just altering laws or training programs.

The concept of "securitization" highlights the importance of examining practice dimensions to avoid falling into nominal traps where changing laws alone does not lead to desired outcomes.

Recognizing that police forces are complex bureaucracies resistant to change underscores the necessity for deep comprehension before attempting transformations.

By structuring these notes around key themes and insights while linking them directly back to specific timestamps, readers can easily navigate through complex discussions surrounding policing and its societal implications.

Understanding the Evolution of Police Functions

The Concept of Public Order

The initial organized bodies created by the state to address social conflicts were based on a broader notion of public order, which extends beyond just crime as understood today.

This broad concept is reflected in the legal idea of police power, defined as the state's authority to limit or restrict rights for general welfare, grounded in reasonableness.

Historical Context and Development

The current understanding of police as a violent state tool did not originally associate with security in its modern sense; it evolved alongside urban complexity and societal conflicts.

There is a clear distinction between historical policing functions and contemporary associations with crime; historically, police served multiple roles beyond just law enforcement.

Transition from Totalitarianism to Liberalism

Historically, public order was linked to totalitarian regimes that used early police forces for state objectives; liberal thought prompted a reduction in these powers.

As societies transitioned towards liberalism, there was an effort to redefine police institutions solely focused on security issues rather than broader authoritarian control.

Modern Understanding of Public Order

Today’s discussions about public order within security studies refer specifically to structured models of policing that maintain ties with power dynamics and potential abuses.

It is essential to recognize that while models can help analyze trends in policing practices, they do not fully encapsulate the complexities of modern law enforcement realities.

Analytical Models and Their Implications

The speaker intends to outline three primary models reflecting the evolution of policing in relation to democratic consolidation while emphasizing their analytical utility rather than prescriptive nature.

A critical point made is that no modern police force fits neatly into one model; overlaps and contradictions exist across different policing styles and practices today.

Understanding the Role of Police in Society

The Model as a Tool for Public Debate

The model serves as a toolbox for those willing to engage in public discussions about security and police reform, emphasizing the need for informed intervention.

Complexity and Opacity of Police Forces

Police forces are characterized by complexity, contradictions, and opacity; this opaqueness leads to reliance on common intuitions rather than empirical research.

Lack of Empirical Research

There is a significant gap in empirical research and objective data regarding public perceptions of police trustworthiness, which often leads to unsupported assumptions.

Intuition vs. Data in Policy Design

Many public safety policies are based on intuitive beliefs rather than solid demographic studies, leading to questionable practices in policy design. This highlights the importance of data-driven approaches.

Populism and Expert Displacement

The concept of "populism punitive" suggests that expert roles are diminished in defining priorities and strategies for addressing policing issues, complicating effective policy-making.

Challenges in Designing Effective Public Policies

Foundations of Policy Difficulties

Two main challenges hinder effective public policy design: reliance on intuition without data support and the marginalization of expert analysis regarding practical impacts versus theoretical functions.

Historical Context of Policing Models

Early police models emerged under authoritarian regimes, focusing on centralized control and military-style responses, often used politically against dissenters. This historical context shapes current policing practices globally.

Evolving Concepts of Policing

Transitioning to Community Service Models

A new model has developed alongside democratic consolidation that views policing as a community service rather than solely state-controlled order maintenance; this shift invites community involvement in defining security priorities.

Implications for Community Engagement

When communities participate actively in defining their security needs, it alters the traditional protector-protected dynamic between the state and citizens, fostering greater accountability within law enforcement agencies.

Understanding Police Legitimacy and Community Engagement

The Role of Community Satisfaction in Policing

Police institutions are increasingly concerned about the satisfaction levels of the communities they serve, as their legitimacy is derived from this satisfaction.

Communities are beginning to take an active role in defining priorities for police action, rather than just being passive recipients of services.

Shifts Towards Proactive Policing

There is a noticeable increase in citizen participation and dialogue spaces where police can understand community concerns more clearly.

Efforts towards shared responsibility in problem-solving are emerging, indicating that when individuals feel part of the solution, their satisfaction with outcomes increases significantly.

Professionalization of Police Forces

The professionalization of police members is becoming a priority not only to enhance service quality but also to prevent other actors from encroaching on police functions.

This professionalization aims to improve service quality, which is essential for maintaining legitimacy while recognizing the professionalism of community and state actors involved in policing efforts.

Active Community Involvement

Communities are evolving into active participants who assess the quality of police services while still being seen as passive recipients by law enforcement agencies.

The importance of professionalizing police forces arises from a need for accountability and recognition within community interactions regarding safety and security services.

Models of Policing: Historical Context

A third model emerges post-democracy (1983), emphasizing democratic security as a fundamental right that allows free enjoyment of other rights, shifting focus away from state-centric models.

This model encourages communities to play a leading role in ensuring their own security, breaking away from monopolistic approaches traditionally held by state authorities.

The Evolving Role of the State in Security

Shifting Perspectives on Security

The state is no longer viewed as the sole guarantor of security rights, leading to recognition of alternative responses.

There is a shift from state-centric solutions to community-driven approaches, emphasizing societal involvement in security matters.

New Contracts and Human Rights

A concept introduced by Trojanovic highlights a new contract between protectors (police) and the protected (community).

Police must align their operations with constitutional mandates and human rights standards to ensure legitimacy.

Importance of Trust in Policing

Security is recognized as an essential right that underpins peaceful coexistence within communities; police must operate within legal frameworks defined by human rights.

Trust in police forces serves as an indicator of institutional health; distrust signals potential authoritarian practices.

Challenges in Achieving Democratic Policing

It is difficult for police to be considered fully democratic if they maintain practices aligned with public order models rather than community service.

Research indicates a general distrust towards police among communities, highlighting issues within policing practices.

Analyzing Police Practices

Discussion opens up for questions and comments regarding the historical evolution of policing in national contexts.

Differentiation between manifest functions (stated roles of police) and latent functions (actual practices observed), revealing discrepancies between discourse and reality.

Institutional Legitimacy vs. Community Relations

While human rights are acknowledged, they may not be central to the identity or discourse surrounding policing models focused on service delivery.

The model of public service ties police legitimacy directly to community approval, yet there are instances where certain sectors face over-criminalization due to perceived antagonism.

This structured overview captures key discussions around the evolving role of state security mechanisms, emphasizing shifts towards community engagement, trust-building, and critical analysis of policing practices.

Instrumentalization of Police Forces

The Impact of Government Ideologies on Policing

The concept of model police forces is being undermined by far-right government ideologies, leading to a discrediting of police history. This trend is evident in various countries including Argentina, Spain, Germany, the UK, and Chile.

There is a growing concern regarding the disconnect between community perceptions and governmental views on police institutions. This reflects a shift from security models to public order models influenced by governmental instrumentalization.

Trust in Police Institutions

Analyzing trust in police requires understanding its definition and how it can be fostered within communities. In Spain, for instance, there are distinctions between different police forces like the Guardia Civil and Policía Nacional. Despite challenges, these forces are among the most valued public institutions.

Police bodies are increasingly aware of their communication strategies and public image as they seek to build trust with communities. This indicates a transition towards viewing policing as a public service rather than merely an enforcement mechanism.

Historical Context of Policing Models

The historical evolution of policing in Argentina reveals that early models were heavily militarized, rooted in military influence from their inception. For example, initial law enforcement leaders often had military backgrounds or were active soldiers themselves.

The militarization of Argentine police did not begin with military dictatorships but has deep historical roots dating back to the 20th century. This perspective highlights that current issues stem from longstanding structural problems rather than just recent political events.

Influence of State Terrorism on Community Relations

The relationship between state terrorism during past military regimes and current distrust towards police is significant; this distrust was exacerbated by the role police played in executing state-sponsored atrocities during those times. Understanding this context is crucial for addressing contemporary issues related to policing and community relations.

Notably, Máximo Soso emphasizes that the militarization within policing structures predates dictatorial regimes and has been ingrained since at least the 19th century—an important insight for comprehending ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement today.

Analysis of Security Doctrine Influences

Historical Context and Key Influences

The discussion begins with the importance of analyzing the trajectory leading to a specific subordination, particularly focusing on two foundational milestones post-1955 coup.

The first milestone is the French influence through the doctrine of national security, which significantly shaped police ideologies and operational methods by identifying an internal enemy.

This identification necessitated a shift in police operations, emphasizing intelligence gathering and adopting a militaristic semantic that categorized certain groups as enemies, justifying severe actions against them.

The second major influence stems from American policies initiated by the Alliance for Progress (1961-1970), which contributed to ideologies that laid groundwork for future atrocities committed by state forces.

Ideological Foundations and Military Influence

French ideas emerging from the Algerian War were adopted by military leaders who later trained local police forces, embedding these doctrines within their operational frameworks.

A notable quote from an unnamed author highlights that any action against perceived enemies would be fundamentally police-driven, indicating a militarization of policing practices during this period.

This militarization was not incidental but part of a systematic plan to utilize police forces under military command to perpetuate acts of violence against dissenters.

Case Study: Santa Fe's Police Structure

The case study focuses on Agustín Fesel, a retired Gendarmerie commander who played pivotal roles in regional policing during critical periods (1970–1972; 1976).

Despite being non-military, Fesel was trained in national security concepts and implemented these ideas during his tenure, influencing illegal state repression primarily executed by provincial police.

Legislative Implications and Legacy

During Fesel's initial term, he enacted a de facto decree regulating police operations that served as a precursor to the Organic Law of Police established in Santa Fe in 1975.

These legislative changes reflect enduring legacies—visible or invisible—that shape current policing practices and warrant careful scrutiny regarding their historical roots.

Ongoing Impact and Reflection

There are numerous indicators illustrating how military logic permeated policing ideologies, necessitating comprehensive information-gathering strategies against internal threats.

Examples from Santa Fe highlight deep-rooted practices within law enforcement influenced by military doctrines; similar patterns can be observed in other provinces like Tucumán.

The discussion raises questions about whether changes in legal frameworks have effectively addressed these entrenched legacies within law enforcement institutions.

Strategies for Change in Policing Practices

Historical Context and Influences on Police Practices

The discussion begins with the need to implement strategies that generate change at the level of police practices, not just within police forces themselves.

A reference is made to a colonel who advised Videla prior to the coup, highlighting historical influences on current policing ideologies regarding state terrorism.

It is emphasized that while historical influences exist, they do not solely define current police actions or imply all police engage in human rights violations. Understanding these legacies is crucial for analyzing present practices.

Legitimization of Violence and Institutional Memory

The speaker discusses how certain practices within the police are legitimized internally, contributing to institutional violence. This concept is critical for understanding ongoing issues within law enforcement agencies.

There’s an exploration of whether these "genetic traces" of past dictatorial regimes persist beyond 1983, when democracy returned to Argentina, raising questions about their impact on contemporary policing.

Democratization Efforts Post-Dictatorship

Following the return to democracy, there was a public discourse aimed at reconciling security forces with democratic principles; this was particularly influenced by the last military dictatorship's legacy.

The notion of public order and security became separated from democracy during dictatorial regimes, prompting state actions aimed at reconciling these concepts post-dictatorship. This reconciliation process has been essential in shaping modern policing frameworks.

Reform Initiatives: Legal and Educational Frameworks

The speaker notes that most reform efforts since the 1990s have focused on two main axes: training (educational reforms) and legal frameworks governing police operations. These are seen as foundational for changing police culture and practice.

Symbolic efforts also play a role in reform; examples include renaming institutions associated with past repression as part of broader democratization efforts—highlighting both symbolic and practical dimensions of reform initiatives.

Challenges in Implementing Effective Reforms

Despite legislative changes intended to improve policing structures (e.g., laws passed after significant events like the Cabezas murder), analysts argue that such changes often fail to alter actual policing practices significantly. Thus, legal reforms alone may not suffice without accompanying cultural shifts within law enforcement agencies.

The importance of modifying concrete practices rather than merely changing laws is underscored as essential for reducing state violence and abuse; this highlights a gap between policy intentions and real-world outcomes in policing contexts across regions like Santa Fe where no major legal reforms occurred recently.

Police Reform and Civil Oversight

The Law of Police Personnel

Discussion on the Law of Police Personnel, which aims to unify the police hierarchy that previously had a strong military influence, separating officers from sub-officers.

Noted that there is a trend towards remilitarization in recent years, countering earlier efforts at demilitarization. Emphasizes the importance of civil control and accountability mechanisms.

Learning from Other Countries

Examples from other countries illustrate pathways to develop police models that align with democratic practices.

Shared experience working in a civilian oversight institution in Los Angeles County, highlighting how civilian populations monitored police actions through systematic analysis rather than just disciplinary complaints.

Civilian Oversight Mechanisms

Described functions of oversight bodies that included visiting prisons and engaging with inmates and community organizations to gather data for improving policing practices.

Asserted that effective civilian supervision enhances police operations, suggesting it could serve as a model for reform.

Importance of Accountability

Mentioned organizations like ACLU that conduct similar oversight work by issuing reports and fostering public debate about police practices.

Stressed the need for balance between recognizing police as potential rights violators while also acknowledging their role in society; emphasized the necessity for accountability measures.

Legislative Framework and Historical Context

Highlighted the complexity of policing systems in the U.S., where local forces may have larger budgets than state ones, leading to varied discretionary powers across states.

Warned against relying solely on normative changes or model reorganizations without realistic diagnostics; historical legacies must be understood to address current policing issues effectively.

Clarification on Legislative Changes

Engaged in clarification regarding legislative updates since 1975, specifically referencing reforms made under law 12521 in 2006 aimed at modernizing police personnel laws.

Discussed Santa Fe's outdated legislation as an example of how legacy norms can hinder progress toward democratization within policing structures.

Democratization of Police Forces

Historical Context and Legislative Efforts

The discussion begins with the need for a reform in police organization, emphasizing the importance of democratization to unify the police hierarchy, which has been overly militaristic.

A significant legislative effort occurred in 1995 aimed at reforming the organic law governing police personnel, highlighting that its military-inspired framework hindered democratic policing.

Despite efforts for reform, including a notable attempt in 2007 that established the Public Security Institute, these initiatives ultimately faced challenges and did not achieve their intended outcomes.

Legacy of Military Influence on Policing

The speaker stresses that historical ties between police forces and military structures have left lasting impacts on policing practices, necessitating thorough social research to understand these legacies.

The influence of past military dictatorships (1930-1983) continues to shape current police operations and tactics, such as suspicion-based arrests targeting marginalized communities.

Current Challenges in Policing

Contemporary policing still employs outdated methods like "police instinct," indicating a need for transformation towards a more democratic security paradigm that respects citizens' rights.

The speaker references Dr. Soso's idea that while legacies from the past persist, they evolve within present contexts; thus, understanding this metamorphosis is crucial for effective reform.

Importance of Recognizing Legacies

It is essential to acknowledge that police forces are not merely instruments of rights violations but also serve vital social functions; many officers strive to adhere to constitutional mandates.

Understanding how police were configured historically helps identify symbols and practices needing reformation to strengthen democracy and uphold foundational agreements.

Ongoing Need for Reform

The metaphor used describes democratization as an ongoing construction project facing constant setbacks; resistance often arises against progressive reforms aimed at reducing institutional violence.

Institutional violence remains a barrier to achieving substantive democracy and improving policing standards; thus, vigilance regarding police operations is critical for future progress.

Concluding remarks emphasize collective responsibility in advocating for continuous improvement within police systems to ensure compliance with legal obligations while fostering democratic values.

Discussion on Democratization and Security Forces

Key Questions Raised

Marcela poses a question regarding the powerful interests that hinder the democratization process within security forces, suggesting it could warrant further discussion.

Bureaucratic Resistance to Change

The speaker emphasizes that there is no singular interest or method; bureaucracies inherently resist change due to their inertia.