Security in Mexico City

Banking and Industrial Police 

If you are in need of security guard services in Mexico City, you have two options: a private security guard firm or the Banking and Industrial Police. This article explains the difference between the two services and provides precautionary steps that you need to keep in mind should you hire a security company.

Private Security Guards

Kidnapping is a growing problem in Mexico, and, most unfortunately, many kidnappings have been plotted with the help of the private security guards that were paid to protect families, not to harm them. Often these security guards serve purely information-gathering roles in kidnappings, but there have been situations in which the security guards play more active roles in seizing businessmen or children. Our utmost recommendation is to be very careful when selecting the services of any private security company. The results could be devastaing - and completely counterproductive in protecting your assets and family. 

Why do private security guards at times assist kidnappers in grabbing their clients? Money. Private security firms have created a dismal situation. The security guards, watchmen, drivers and bodyguards themselves earn very little. While Mexico’s private security industry is worth in assets more than one billion USD, employees are paid only about $300 USD a month.

It is constant uphill battle to afford children’s schooling, rent, transportation, clothing and food on such a meager salary. Therefore temptation is great when private security guards are approached by criminals and offered money to become accessories to a kidnapping.

The Banking and Industrial Police Department

PBI (Policia Bancaria e Industrial)

The Policía Bancaria e Industrial is not a corporation; it is a branch of the Mexico City Police Department that is officially authorized to carry firearms and has arresting powers. They have a 24 hour radio call system (i.e. the Mexico City Police Department) especially designed to protect your business. More importantly, while it is not a perfect organization and its directors are always looking for ways to improve, they make sure every candidate is properly investigated before being hired.

History

The PBI began operations in September 1940 with 21 officers. On December 4, 1941 they officially became The Banking Police. Its founder, Col. Arturo Godínez Reyes, was a visionary who spent most of his life creating what is now known as the PBI.

By presidential decree this agency is recognized as an integral part of the Mexico City Police Department. Based on Articles 13 and 14, this organization falls under the command of the Mexico City Chief of Police.

Function

This supplementary police force is formed by the Mexico City’s Industrial and Banking Police. Its roles include keeping public order, protecting citizens, crime prevention, and intervention in civilian disorder. It assists in the investigation and punishment of crime, and assists all citizens in the case of natural disasters. However, its most relevant role is to provide security services, surveillance and specialized protection to a great variety of private organizations within Mexico City and its immediate boundaries. These organizations include: airlines, schools, hospitals, banks, industries, businesses, diplomatic missions, residences and government installations. The PBI also engages in service as security guards and provides personal protection and protection of valuables, prime materials and products.

Contacts

Should your organization consider the services of the PBI, these are two useful contacts:

First Superintendent Nicolás Alvarez, Tel: 5587-1741, 5368-7071

Sub-Inspector Jesús Galindo, Tel: 5567-4995

They will make an appointment to visit your office or home and assess your specific requirements. Also, visit their webpage at http://portal.ssp.df.gob.mx/Portal/NuestrosPolicias/PoliciaBancariaeIndutrial/PoliciaBancariaeIndustrial.htm.

By Mario Gonzalez-Roman, a retired Foreign Service National Security Advisor to the United States Embassy, currently a private Security Consultant, columnist at www.securitycornermexico.com

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