The serenazgo cumple un rol esencial in that effort
En un país donde la seguridad ciudadana ha sido históricamente desigual según el municipio, el Ministerio del Interior del Perú ha dado un paso hacia la uniformidad: autorizar a los serenos a portar equipos defensivos estandarizados, desde tasers hasta chalecos balísticos. La resolución ministerial 0323-2026-IN no es solo una lista de herramientas, sino un reconocimiento de que la seguridad pública requiere coherencia entre los tres niveles del Estado. Como en tantas reformas institucionales, la distancia entre el decreto y la realidad dependerá de la capacidad local y de la voluntad de respetar los derechos que la misma norma invoca.
- La fragmentación del serenazgo —cada municipio equipado a su manera, sin estándares comunes— dejaba brechas visibles en la red de seguridad ciudadana del país.
- La resolución 0323-2026-IN autoriza seis categorías de equipamiento defensivo, desde esposas y escudos hasta tasers y aerosoles de pimienta, estableciendo por primera vez una línea base nacional.
- El ministro Hugo Begazo insiste en que la seguridad real exige coordinación entre el gobierno nacional, la Policía Nacional y los municipios, y que el serenazgo es el eslabón que conecta esos niveles en el barrio.
- La autorización viene condicionada: el equipamiento solo puede usarse para prevención del delito y con estricto respeto a los derechos humanos, y el ministerio se comprometió a capacitar a los gobiernos locales.
- La pregunta que queda abierta es si los municipios tendrán presupuesto para adquirir todo el equipamiento y si la capacitación será suficiente para evitar abusos en su uso.
El Ministerio del Interior del Perú aprobó mediante resolución ministerial 0323-2026-IN un marco estandarizado para equipar a los serenos —el personal de seguridad municipal que patrulla barrios y previene delitos menores— con seis categorías de herramientas defensivas: esposas de seguridad, escudos, bastones tonfa, aerosol de pimienta, chalecos balísticos y armas de descarga eléctrica. La medida busca reemplazar lo que hasta ahora era un mosaico desigual de equipos y criterios según cada localidad.
El ministro Hugo Begazo presentó la autorización como un componente esencial de la arquitectura de seguridad del país, subrayando que la protección ciudadana efectiva requiere coordinación entre el gobierno nacional, la Policía Nacional y las autoridades municipales. En ese esquema, el serenazgo ocupa un lugar crítico: es la presencia uniformada en el vecindario, el primer respondiente ante disturbios menores y un disuasivo visible del crimen.
El ministerio fue explícito en condicionar el uso del equipamiento: solo para prevención del delito y con respeto irrestricto a los derechos humanos fundamentales. Para que esa condición no quede en letra muerta, la cartera se comprometió a distribuir lineamientos y realizar sesiones de capacitación con los gobiernos locales. La lógica es clara: un serenazgo mal equipado y sin formación no puede coordinarse con la policía ni responder de manera consistente. La resolución establece el marco; si los municipios tendrán los recursos para implementarlo —y la voluntad de hacerlo bien— es una pregunta que solo el tiempo responderá.
Peru's Interior Ministry has given the green light for municipal security forces across the country to carry tasers, pepper spray, body armor, and other defensive equipment as part of a broader push to strengthen public safety. The authorization came through ministerial resolution 0323-2026-IN, a formal directive that establishes uniform standards for how local governments can equip their serenazgo—the municipal security personnel who patrol neighborhoods and respond to minor infractions and crime prevention.
The move represents an attempt to standardize what has likely been a patchwork of equipment and training across Peru's municipalities. Under the new framework, serenazgo officers will be permitted to carry six categories of defensive tools: security restraints, shields, tonfa batons, pepper aerosol, ballistic vests, and electric discharge weapons. These specifications are meant to serve as a baseline for municipal purchasing decisions, ensuring that equipment meets consistent standards rather than leaving each locality to source gear independently.
Hugo Begazo, the Interior Ministry's leader, framed the authorization as essential to the country's security architecture. He emphasized that citizen safety requires coordination across three levels: the national government, the National Police, and local municipal authorities. The serenazgo, in his view, fills a critical gap in that system—they are the uniformed presence in neighborhoods, the first responders to minor disturbances, and a visible deterrent to crime. Without proper equipment and training, they cannot perform that role effectively.
The ministry was careful to attach conditions to the authorization. The equipment is to be used exclusively for crime prevention and deterrence, and only in strict respect for fundamental human rights. This language suggests awareness that tasers and other defensive tools carry risks if deployed without proper restraint or training. The Interior Ministry has committed to distributing guidance and conducting training sessions with local governments on how to use these implements appropriately—a recognition that authorization alone is insufficient without education.
The underlying logic is straightforward: a fragmented, under-equipped municipal security force cannot coordinate effectively with the national police or respond consistently to public safety threats. By standardizing equipment and establishing clear protocols, the ministry hopes to create a more cohesive security apparatus. Whether municipalities have the budget to actually purchase all six categories of equipment, or whether the training will be adequate to prevent misuse, remains an open question. The resolution sets the framework; implementation will depend on local capacity and political will.
Citas Notables
Citizen security requires coordinated work between the national government, police, and local authorities. Municipal serenazgo play an essential role in that effort.— Hugo Begazo, Interior Ministry
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why does Peru need to standardize taser equipment for municipal security now? What prompted this?
The resolution doesn't say explicitly, but the pattern is clear—municipalities were likely buying equipment ad hoc, with no consistency. When you have fragmented local forces, they can't coordinate with national police or respond predictably. Standardization is about creating a unified system.
The ministry emphasized human rights protections. Does that suggest there were problems before?
It's a careful hedge. When you authorize tasers, you're acknowledging they can cause harm if misused. The ministry is saying upfront: these tools are permitted, but only within strict limits. It's a way of saying we're aware of the risk.
Who actually benefits from this? The police? The municipalities? The public?
Theoretically all three. The national police get a more capable partner in local security. Municipalities get clear purchasing standards instead of guessing. The public gets more visible, better-equipped neighborhood patrols. But that assumes the training actually happens and the equipment is used responsibly.
What about the serenazgo themselves—the officers carrying this gear?
They get legitimacy and capability. But they also get responsibility. A taser is more lethal than a baton. The ministry's commitment to training them is crucial, because a poorly trained officer with a taser is a liability, not an asset.
Is this a common move in Latin America?
Standardizing municipal security equipment? Yes. Most countries eventually realize that local forces need to be equipped and trained to a baseline standard. Peru is doing what many others have done—formalizing what was probably already happening informally.