The expansion of the Segurança Presente (Present Security) program in the state of Rio de Janeiro has become the focus of a new debate after documents uploaded to the government's electronic system indicated that the opening of new bases was linked to demands from parliamentarians. This information emerges amidst the decision by the acting governor, Ricardo Couto, to transfer the management of the project to the Military Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro and to order an audit of its implementation.
According to the current administration, The program will not be discontinued or reduced.The proposal, according to the government, aims to improve the efficiency of the initiative by directing its expansion based on crime incidence data. This information comes from the newspaper... The Globe.
Expansion and political connections
Before the administrative change, the Government Secretariat planned to open 28 new bases by the end of the year, expanding the program's presence, currently in 64 locations. Part of this expansion would be financed by a R$ 20 million agreement with the Rio de Janeiro State Research Support Foundation.
Official documentation indicates that ten of these new units, planned for 2026, are linked to the names of state deputies. Deputy Anderson Moraes is mentioned in four locations: Belford Roxo, Barra Olímpica, Vila Valqueire, and Cabo Frio. Of these, only the base in the Southwest Zone has been inaugurated, in a ceremony held in early March.
Other parliamentarians also appear to be associated with specific regions. The president of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Douglas Ruas, reportedly requested a unit in Alcântara, in São Gonçalo. Meanwhile, Thiago Gagliasso, Índia Armelau, and Filippe Poubel appear to be linked to requests in different areas of the capital and the interior.
“This is a long-standing request from residents. I have always asked the governor and the secretary for this, but there has been no political appointment of officials,” said Ruas.
Anderson Moraes also denies direct interference:
"I am against politics orchestrating public security. I made a request that came from the population, and nothing more. There is no political indication of my involvement," he stated.
Thiago Gagliasso emphasized that his requests were based on popular demands:
“All requests were based on complaints and demands forwarded by the public to my office. However, specifically regarding the Segurança Presente Program, none of the requests were granted, which demonstrates not only the absence of any connection with the existing bases, but also the lack of any influence on my part over the program, therefore any association of my name with the Segurança Presente Program is incorrect.”
Member of Parliament Índia Armelau stated that she acts as a spokesperson for the population by forwarding various requests, including security and health units, while Filippe Poubel maintains that demanding increased police presence is part of parliamentary activity.
Management change and audit
The transfer of the program to the Military Police marks a significant structural change. Previously under the responsibility of the Government Secretariat, the initiative will now be led by the General Directorate of Programs of the corporation, which also administers the State Integration Program in Security.
The state government plans to publish a decree to define the responsibilities of the Military Police and the State Secretariat of Public Security, which should establish criteria for evaluating performance and productivity. Simultaneously, an audit of contracts within the program, including container rental services, is underway.
Currently, the Segurança Presente program has 985 military police officers and 1.037 civilian agents, with an estimated budget of R$ 385 million.
History and political disputes
The program was under the purview of the Government Secretariat until March, when the department was headed by André Moura, a political ally of former Alerj president Rodrigo Bacellar. Previous investigations had already identified records of parliamentary requests related to the program.
In recent years, the Segurança Presente program has undergone significant expansion, accompanied by greater political visibility. The growth of the initiative has also coincided with an increase in the debate about public safety in the state, a central theme in the electoral landscape.
Debate on criteria and future of the program.
The new phase of the Segurança Presente program faces the challenge of reconciling political demands with technical public safety criteria. The government promises that the expansion will now follow objective indicators, reducing the influence of local interests.
Meanwhile, the audit and management restructuring should define the course of the program, which has established itself as one of the main showcases of security policies in the state.
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