Violence has been a central issue for candidates in October’s presidential election. Far-right congressman Jair Bolsonaro, who is running second in opinion polls, has promised to crack down on crime, in part by giving police “carte blanche” to fire on criminals. 
Samira Bueno, executive director of the Brazilian Forum for Public Security, argues for a different approach. She thinks the focus should be ensuring that different law enforcement branches work together. 
In Brazil, military police are in charge of patrolling the streets, but work separately from the intelligence operations of municipal police. 
“The government primarily invests in the military police because voters want to see a heavy police presence on the street,” Ms Bueno said. “This leaves the civil police marginalised.” 
Last month, the government introduced a single system for public security that aims to improve collaboration among different police sectors. 
Ms Bueno said improved cooperation is crucial because at present most homicide cases in Brazil never get solved. The lack of convictions “sends the message, ‘You can kill, and get away with it’,” she said. 
Additional reporting by AP