After almost eight years, the Public Force of the Ministry of Public Security (MSP) will have a new director. On Monday, Daniel Calderón Rodríguez, who has served as a police officer since 1994, took over the position held by Juan José Andrade Morales since September 2010.
The new chief has extensive police experience, which in recent years led him to occupy regional offices in Limón, Guanacaste, and Heredia. He also served as deputy director of the Public Force from 2007 to 2008, as well as director of the National Police School. Calderón had part of his training at the Carabineros School in Chile, but he also majored in criminology at the State Distance University (UNED).
As part of its objectives, the new director pointed to inter-institutional coordination from different sides to face the crime boom in the communities with the highest incidence.
Walter Espinoza, director of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), has repeatedly pointed out a state inability to “fill in” the gaps left by criminal organizations in marginal areas.
The official said that the MSP will have a vice-ministry focused on the comprehensive preventive approach to attack drug trafficking, one of the main concerns, but there are other issues that hit citizens more, such as robberies and assaults.
Calderón confirmed that they will make changes in the structure of the Public Force and reiterated the commitment to attack the corruption that hits police bodies.
In the next few days, it will be formally announced who will accompany Calderón in the police sub-directorates, as well as the appropriate readjustments in the regional directorates.