Ecuador Assembly approves law against illicit use of police, military uniforms

Ecuador's National Assembly has approved a penal reform designed to curb the criminal use of law enforcement uniforms and insignia, a growing problem that undermines public trust and security. The legislative body voted 87 in favor of the reform, which targets groups that use official attire to impersonate police and military personnel.

The "Organic Law Reforming to Prevent and Sanction the Criminal Use of Uniforms, Insignias, and Institutional Distinguishing Marks" introduces significant changes to the Comprehensive Organic Penal Code (COIP). The reform aims to dismantle the supply chain for illicit uniforms and establish robust control and traceability mechanisms.

Under the new legislation, individuals caught wearing uniforms of entities regulated by Coescop, the Police, or the Armed Forces without authorization face one to three years in prison. The penalty increases to three to five years if the uniform is used to conduct fake checkpoints or procedures, simulating official authority. If the impersonation involves insignia of the National Police or Armed Forces, reflecting a greater impact on security and public faith, the sentence escalates to five to seven years.

The law also addresses the illicit manufacturing and distribution of these items, with penalties ranging from one to seven years in prison. Companies involved in private security must implement strict controls for the issuance and return of uniforms, and elements that could cause confusion with police or military attire are expressly prohibited. The reform mandates that all activities related to these items must be conducted by authorized entities under rigorous tax controls.

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this penal reform is fundamental to safeguarding public security.