In São Paulo, Brazil , a uniformed military police officer is under scrutiny for refusing to assist a young black teenager threatened by an armed man identified as Paulo around 4 p.m. on Sunday (12/11) in front of the Carandiru station on Metro’s 1-Blue line in the northern zone of São Paulo. The PM has categorized the officer’s actions as negligence.
A video brought to light by the Ponte Jornalismo website, captures Paulo, a white man, pointing a pistol at the young man, who is restrained with an arm lock by another individual. Onlookers in the footage claim the young black teenager allegedly attempted a robbery, though he was unarmed. Visibly frightened, the young man apologizes to Paulo and shields his face upon seeing the gun, stating, “He wants to kill me.” Paulo temporarily holsters the weapon upon realizing he is being filmed.
The young black teenager manages to free himself and attempts to flee. Paulo’s effort to trip him fails, prompting him to draw his weapon again, aiming at the young man, who halts near a street vendor’s tent. A woman with Paulo intervenes, positioning herself in front of the young man to prevent harm, urging him to stop. A couple with two children is also present.
As Paulo points the gun at the young teenager, both enter the field of vision of a uniformed police officer (PM) near a Metro exit. The witness recording the incident informs the officer about the armed man. The police woman signals, as if making a phone call, and instructs to “call 190.”
Rafael Alcadipani, a professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and a member of the Brazilian Forum on Public Security, emphasizes that the police officer “has the obligation” to act 24 hours a day, as dictated by the corporation’s regulations.
Given the incident in front of the station, the police woman should have, at the very least, called 190 if she recognized her inability to intervene. The expert adds that the officer did not act as expected, even suggesting that witnesses call 190.
When questioned by the witness about the role of the police, the officer becomes agitated, threatening arrest for disrespect. The officer accuses the man of disrespecting her, stating, “You said I’m good for nothing. It’s you who’s not good. I’m off duty; the procedure is to call 190 and request a patrol.” However, she does not call for support during the three minutes that Paulo circulates with the weapon, among other people. The video cuts off when the officer confronts the witness.
To Ancestral News, the man reports that the officer “grabbed him by the neck” and emphasizes his intention to criticize the police force rather than the officer.
The Military Police, through the São Paulo Public Security Secretariat (SSP), are conducting an initial investigation, searching for Paulo. The corporation indicates that the case “may be treated as a serious disciplinary violation.” The PM asserts that the officer’s negligence does not align with societal expectations or the responsibilities of a public safety professional, who should act promptly when witnessing a crime, whether on duty or not.
