PNP – Peru’s National Police

The national police force in Peru is the PNP, the Policía Nacional del Perú (Peruvian National Police). Being attached to the Peruvian Ministry of the Interior, the PNP has jurisdiction over the countries land, sea and air territories. Its main missions are ...

• guarantee, maintain and restore domestic order, public order and national security
• prevent, investigate and combat crime
• enforce Peruvian law
• provide protection and assistance to the people of Peru
• maintain peace and ensure public safety
• respect fundamental rights
• ensure the security of public and private property and heritage
• monitor and control borders
• provide security to the Peruvian president, ministers, members of congress, heads of public offices, diplomats and other personalities including foreign ones visiting the country.
• Enforce traffic regulations and ensure road safety
• Combat drug and human trafficking

The Peruvian National Police is divided into numerous subdivisions, each specialized in one area of operation, such as for example:

• Policía de Transito (Traffic police)
• Policía de Turismo (Tourist police)
• Policia Antidrogas DIRANDRO (Anti-narcotics unit)
• Policía de Investigaciones DIRINCRI (Criminal investigations unit)
• Policía Anticorrupción DIRCOCOR (Anti-corruption unit)

For emergencies such as violent crimes, intrusion, robbery, drug-related crimes or severe traffic accidents call 105, the central emergency number of the police in Peru, which puts you through to a nationwide dispatch service. For a few years now dialing 911 works as well.

Contact information for police stations and special division can be found on the PNP website.

Tourists who need assistance or protection or who are in trouble or in any way involved in a crime best get directly in contact with the Tourist Police.

Less urgent situations and minor disturbances (neighborhood disputes, noise complaints, even done burglaries, etc.) are usually handled by Serenazgo, the municipal “police”. But be aware that Serenzgo is not part of the national police force and only has limited powers and jurisdiction.

For fire call the Bomberos. They as well respond to traffic accidents and general medical emergencies.

When dealing with the police in Peru be aware that their resources and infrastructure are limited. Pay is low, training and morale usually poor, corruption despite tighter laws still omnipresent. So, don’t expect a service like home.