Pacification in Rio de Janeiro Comunidades: Perceptions of Militarized Public Security

Brazil’s history of militarization in public policy has led to the adoption of new models centered around crime intervention and community growth. Rio de Janeiro’s 2008 Comunidade (Favela) Pacification Program was one of the most notable policies reflective of these goals. Rio’s state government implemented Pacifying Police Units (UPPs) that would be permanently stationed in comunidades, driving out criminal organizations and promoting socioeconomic development. The program was recognized as a symbol of reform in urban security thanks to initial crime reductions in pacified communities. However, testimonies reveal patterns of physical and institutional violence at the hands of UPPs and continued control through militarization. This thesis examines how narratives challenge the perceived successes of the Pacification Program and the broader concept of militarized public security. Using empirical data that shows changes in different crime rates, both violent and nonviolent, I examine the short-term outcomes of the policy. In tandem with this, through the use of testimonial accounts, this project explores the gaps between official portrayals of the UPPs and lived experiences on-the-ground. I find that during its most active years (2008-2018), the policy led to drops in crime that were acclaimed as successes, but were unsustainable and lacked social integration strategies. Through strict policing methods, the UPPs ultimately contributed to the intensification of order through militarized control, furthering a culture of distrust between police and civilians.