Brazil Moves Forward with Constitutional Reform to Bolster Public Security Amid Growing Crime Concerns

Brazil is confronting a persistent public security crisis with legislative reforms gaining momentum to address escalating crime and policing challenges. On March 10, 2026, the Chamber of Deputies approved Constitutional Amendment Proposal No. 18 of 2025, which now advances to the Senate for consideration. This key reform, introduced by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, aims to strengthen the legal framework by imposing harsher penalties for violent crimes—especially those targeting women, children, adolescents, and gang leaders—and expanding victims' rights.

Crucially, the amendment prohibits serious offenders from benefiting from prison regime progressions, while also authorizing municipal guards to act as local police, enhancing law enforcement reach. Funding is set to improve significantly through a new model that allocates 30% of taxes collected from betting activities to the National Public Security Fund, ensuring a steady resource stream for security operations.

Experts emphasize that integration among federal, state, and municipal agencies is vital for implementing these reforms. Deputy Captain Alden highlighted the urgent need to integrate the Armed Forces with state police, particularly to combat crime along Brazil’s borders. He also lamented the stagnation in reforming the organizational laws governing civil and military police forces, which are critical to ramping up effectiveness.

Data from the Brazilian Public Security Forum underscores the gravity of the situation, revealing a gap between authorized and active police personnel—152,000 civil police positions are sanctioned, but only 95,000 were filled in 2023. Sixteen out of 24 states report police staffing below the national average. The Forum's director-president, Renato Sérgio de Lima, warns that violence is rising, noting an increase in domestic and digital crimes, and pointing out that criminal activity is largely controlled by 88 factions, many with transnational reach.

Consultant Cristiano Noronha of Arko Advice remarked that while the proposed measures are necessary and important, their practical rollout will require time and close cooperation between Brazilian states and federal bodies to be effective. This multifaceted approach reflects a nationally pressing demand to bolster public safety amid Brazil’s evolving security challenges.