ABSTRACT
Police in Brazil are a target of constant criticism. Th eir ineff ectiveness is widely recognized, including by public administrators, academics, human rights activists and even police offi cers who can take a critical view of the status quo. To a great extent, this criticism is levelled at the daily practices of the police, with special emphasis on abuses committed against the population and misconduct by its members. Critics emphasize the low effi ciency of the police forces in the prevention, repression and solving of crimes, as well as their low degree of legitimacy in the eyes of the public.
