The 700 of Carabineros

El Líbero, Saturday, July 30, 2022

In a context where the penetration of organized crime is advancing, homicides are increasing, and violence in the south does not cease, the voluntary retirement of 700 officers and non-commissioned officers from Carabineros de Chile should not only be a cause for concern but rather set off all alarms. 

In that abstract concept known as the State, certain institutions concentrate the force that protects us from external threats that violate our borders, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, as well as those that disrupt public order and put the daily lives of citizens at risk. There are not many of these institutions, but if any were to be lacking, the stability of the country could become vulnerable. 

One of them is Carabineros de Chile, which, with its motto “Order and Homeland,” embodies values that allow it to make sacrifice its emblem, paraphrasing the institutional anthem. But what a sacrifice it is! Facing danger every day so that we can all live in peace is not easy. The generosity and nobility behind that work are rarely seen. They leave their families to serve others. Thank you is what comes to mind when I think of all they do for us. But today those “thank yous” feel distant. The spirit that inspired the institution seems to be breaking, and the prestige that positioned them as the most trusted police force in Latin America is being challenged. 

Institutional uncertainty, excessive workload, and a wide range of opportunities in the private sector were some of the reasons cited for requesting this voluntary retirement. But the truth is that what lies behind these resignations is much more than these simple reasons: the morale of the institution is battered.

It is true that the private sector is tempting, but these temptations did not appear overnight; despite their existence, many chose to be carabineros. If it were only about money, perhaps many of those who are police today would not be. Vocation, recognition, and institutional morale in this case may be worth more than those private offers.

The problem arises when those who lead the country propose pardons for those who destroyed emblematic areas like Plaza Italia, when during presidential campaign moments they spoke of structural reform, and when even the president himself in February 2021 tweeted to “rebuild Carabineros now.” When we add to this the almost nonexistent recognition from citizens for their work, the insults and blows they receive every time they respond to a protest, the storm is perfect. The morale of the institution continues to decline.

Those 700 are just a symptom of something deeper. Institutions are made up of people and reflect society. But that is not the whole issue. Institutions are not merely the sum of the individuals that comprise them. Institutions are values, principles, a purpose; they embody an inspiring spirit through which they serve the homeland. 

For that inspiring spirit, let us stop proposing solutions that attack the symptoms; let us return to placing the nobility and generosity that inspires Carabineros de Chile at the center. Only by healing the heart can we heal the other organs. 

Pilar Lizana
Researcher, AthenaLab

Source: El Líbero