Mário Mendes, retired judge of the Supreme Court of Justice and former director of the Judicial Police, publicly defended that the PJ is a fundamental institution for the country in the fight against crime. Mendes spoke about the importance of the institution and the challenges it currently faces in criminal investigation.
Among the main challenges identified by Mário Mendes are the lack of available resources for investigation, the growth of economic crime and computer crime. The former official warned of the need to face these new forms of criminality that have been significantly increasing.
The retired judge also defended the need to strengthen cooperation between different police forces. This cooperation is pointed out as essential for more effective investigation and to face the growing complexity of current criminality.
The interview comes in a context where the Judicial Police has faced criticism and operational challenges, with Mário Mendes highlighting the irreplaceable role of the institution in the Portuguese legal order and in the protection of citizens against crime.
