An Analysis on the Implementation of Human Security in Ecuadorian National Police Department

Abstract

The study of public administration could not be completed without an understanding of policymaking institutions, as the base of government constructions and social order. This research paper is a descriptive analysis following a qualitative approach, which strives to explain the institutional change of Ecuadorian Police Department to overhaul the Human Security framework using New Institutionalism. The purpose of this study is to understand better the challenges institutions suffer in the process of restructuration, referring to the patterns of behavior, norms, rules and relationships that influence institutions.

Ecuadorian republic history was marked by the lack of planning as an important role making public policy decisions, however during the current political administration planning became the key on Ecuadorian institutions development. Since 2008 in Ecuador violence and organize crime increased, swelling the feeling of insecurity among the citizenship. Even tough, with current President Rafael Correa and the New Constitution, planning became a key process to the State, for National Police Department this reforms stood aside. In despite of the investment on internal security, National Police Department remains as an untrusted institution. In this context, the following analysis focuses in the dynamics of the National Police Department thorough the changes proposed by the central government since 2010. The final objective is to obtain crucial information as a guideline for policy makers to understand the needs of the institution in order to overcome the bad perception of the institution and to achieve the transformation towards Human Security.