Q COSTARICA — A total of seven police chiefs failed the polygraph (lie detector test), President Laura Fernández confirmed, and were subsequently removed from their posts.
“Additionally, I have ordered a preliminary investigation, which will be conducted from my office,” Fernández said.
The president indicated that the tests were administered under the supervision of the Dirección de Inteligencia y Seguridad Nacional (DIS) — Directorate of Intelligence and National Security, Costa Rica’s intelligence service, attached to the Ministry of the Presidency. Its main objective is to collect and process information to advise the president on national security matters and combat threats such as organized crime and terrorism.
“They were asked questions about organized crime and whether they had received benefits related to their positions,” the President added.
The chiefs, who were part of the Fuerza Élite (Elite Force), the special program launched by President Fernández to fight the crime wave sweeping the country.
“In our session today (Monday), I ordered the Minister of Security to remove from the Elite Force group and terminate the appointments of seven officials who failed the polygraph test and were serving as directors. Seven out of 33 officials failed this test. (…) For the peace of mind of all Costa Ricans, the ministers and directors of the DIS and the UEI (elite police force of the presidency) passed without issue. What will happen to the seven directors who failed the test? They were immediately removed from their leadership positions, and I also ordered a preliminary investigation to be conducted from my office against each of them,” Fernández said.
While the identities of the chiefs have not been publicly disclosed, the revelation has sparked widespread debate about the effectiveness of internal oversight and the challenges Costa Rica faces in battling corruption at high levels of law enforcement.
Since taking office on May 8, the president announced that all security officials and police chiefs would undergo a ‘technical test’ (polygraph) on this topic. She herself, along with the two vice presidents, Francisco Gamboa and Douglas Soto, also took the test.