More than 300 retired PNP officers did not return weapons or state police equipment

The Comptroller General of the Republic has warned that 314 retired officers of the National Police of Peru (PNP) They have not handed over the firearms and police equipment that were assigned to them during their time in service, a situation that extends from 2015 to 2024 and poses serious security risks.

Among the unreturned property were 91 Sig Sauer pistols, 76 Pietro Beretta pistols, 43 Star pistols, 31 Smith Wesson revolvers and 71 sets of Smith Wesson handcuffs, according to the Control Visit Report. No. 048-2024-OCI/3792-SVC.

According to internal PNP regulations, these former officers were required to return the assets within 60 days of their notification of retirement, but they have not done so yet. This year, 40 of these retired former officers still have these resources in their possession.

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The report also highlights that 204 officers who left the PNP between 2015 and 2019 also failed to return their assigned weapons and equipment, despite having spent between five and nine years since their retirement. Of this group, five officers have already died without having returned their property.

Lack of notifications and legal actions

The Comptroller’s Office notes that the PNP has not made the necessary notifications to the retired officers who still possess these assets, nor has it informed the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Ministry of the Interior to proceed with the corresponding complaints, as established in PNP Directive No. 04-09-2018-DIRGEN-PNP/DIVLOG-B.

Although the PNP attempted to initiate this process in February 2024, a lack of personnel prevented it from being carried out, and a subsequent attempt to hire a notary in April was also unsuccessful. As of July 22, 2024, those involved had still not been notified.

Security vehicles also detained

An additional report from the Institutional Control Body of the PNP (OCI de la PNP) revealed that 119 retired officers have not returned assigned security vehicles, worth close to S/ 2 million. In November 2023, notarized letters were sent to 78 of these former officers to return the vehicles within 72 hours, but to date, 35 officers have died without their families returning the vehicles to the State.

Only seven officers retired in 2024 complied with the return of the vehiclesAccording to internal regulations, vehicles must be delivered in good condition to the Logistics Division of the PNP Administration Directorate within seven days of retirement, or officers may choose to purchase them by notifying their intention in writing within 30 days.

As with the weapons and equipment, the PNP has not informed the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Ministry of the Interior to proceed with the necessary legal actions against those who still retain the assets.

Lack of official response

The PNP OCI has communicated the results of these reports to the PNP General Commander, recommending the implementation of measures to mitigate the identified risks. To date, no response has been received from the police authorities.

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