A video went viral on social media showing a presumed police officer carrying out a search on a citizen with total impunity. In the video, the police officer is seen checking the pockets of the person’s pants and taking out their wallet for a thorough inspection. The incident took place in Mexico City near a street food stall.
In the images shared online, the possible officer from the Secretariat of Citizen Security of Mexico City is seen inspecting the belongings of the individual without any known reason for the detention. The officer is seen taking the wallet from the victim's pocket, opening it, and examining its contents, as well as taking a cellphone, possibly belonging to the citizen.
According to the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, it is illegal and arbitrary for a police officer to conduct a search without just cause, such as in cases of flagrance or when there is no open investigation. The laws of Mexico City stipulate that the police can only carry out searches if there is an ongoing investigation and if there are reasonable suspicions of a crime by the person.
Routine searches by the police are only permitted in cases of flagrance, that is, when there is a well-founded suspicion that the person has committed a crime. It is necessary for the individual's characteristics to match those of the alleged perpetrator of the reported criminal activity. In no case can a police officer detain a person without a legitimate and well-founded reason, regardless of their own discretion regarding the situation.
