A Mexicali municipal police officer who allegedly pointed a rifle at two journalists during a cartel operation on Friday has been removed from street duty and reassigned to an administrative role. Police Director Luis Felipe Chan confirmed the move while an internal investigation into the incident proceeds.
The confrontation took place during a high-tension police operation involving a vehicle pursuit and gunfire in Mexicali. The two reporters, who identified themselves as credentialed press throughout the encounter, said they did not breach any crime scene perimeter. Despite this, the officer reportedly aimed his weapon directly at them.
Police Director Says He Respects Press Freedom
Chan told media that he respects press freedom and that investigators will determine whether the officer acted in bad faith. The reassignment to desk duty is standard procedure during such internal reviews, keeping the officer on the payroll but away from fieldwork until the inquiry concludes.
The incident drew sharp reactions on social media, where some commenters blamed the reporters for being too close to the scene. Police leadership, however, acknowledged that the officer failed to distinguish between genuine threats and members of the credentialed press. The journalists had reportedly followed standard protocols for covering active police operations.
Press Safety Concerns in a Tense Security Climate
Mexico remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. According to press freedom organizations, attacks against reporters often come from both organized crime and law enforcement. Baja California has not been immune to this pattern. The Mexicali region has experienced heightened cartel activity in recent months, with earlier episodes of violence prompting the city to recall off-duty officers and increase security postures across the municipality.
The Friday operation that sparked the rifle incident was part of ongoing security efforts in Mexicali tied to cartel-related violence. The city’s mayor reported in February that commercial and educational activities had stabilized after a previous wave of unrest, but local and state agencies have maintained elevated vigilance.
For residents near the U.S. border crossing at Calexico, these episodes are a reminder that police operations can escalate quickly in areas frequented by daily commuters and shoppers.
The internal investigation has no announced timeline. Chan did not say what disciplinary action the officer could face if found to have acted improperly. The story was first reported by The Baja Post.