Baja California’s state Congress on May 5 issued a formal demand for three government agencies to investigate suspected fake police units operating across the state. Legislators called on the Secretaría de Gobierno (Secretariat of Government), the Secretaría de Seguridad Pública (Public Security Secretariat), and the Fiscalía General del Estado (FGE, the state Attorney General’s Office) to look into reports of individuals impersonating officers and using official-looking vehicles.
Videos Show Suspects in Unmarked Gear
The congressional resolution cited circulating videos and witness testimony showing vehicles that resembled official patrol units. According to legislators, occupants of those vehicles wore non-regulation clothing, concealed their identities, and in some cases detained citizens without clear legal authority.
Lawmakers said these incidents raise serious concerns about rights violations and potential criminal conduct. Under Mexican law, impersonating a public official (usurpación de funciones) is a criminal offense that can carry prison time.
Gated Communities and Fraccionamientos Flagged
Congress specifically flagged incidents occurring inside fraccionamientos (private residential developments) and on gated streets. These types of communities are common living environments for foreign residents and retirees in cities like Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito, and Mexicali.
The resolution asks authorities to implement verification and oversight measures for patrol units and personnel. Agencies must report their findings back to the legislature, though no specific deadline was included in the announcement.
A Recurring Problem in Baja California
Fake police operations are not new to the state. In 2019, Tijuana’s top law enforcement official warned that former officers were wearing real police uniforms and offering illegal security services to merchants or committing crimes. In November 2023, 23 officers from Baja California’s Citizens Security and Investigative Force were placed under investigation for kidnapping, drug trafficking, and bribery.
As recently as October 2025, 14 state police agents were suspended after approximately 180 kilograms of cocaine allegedly vanished during an operation in Ojo de Agua, Tijuana. These cases point to a pattern of both impersonation by civilians and criminal conduct by active officers.
Residents who encounter individuals claiming to be police have the right to request visible, official identification. Legitimate officers in Baja California are required to display a badge number and carry credentials. Anyone who suspects a fake police encounter can report it to the FGE or the state Secretariat of Government.
This story was first reported by La Jornada Baja California.