Venezuelan police reform

A recent article indicates Chavez is undertaking major reforms of the nation's police forces [Federico Fuentes, "Venezuela Police Reform," Green Left Weekly, July 12, 2005]. The article makes clear such reforms are badly needed and indicates that the current police organization will be replaced "with a new institution directly under the command of President Hugo Chavez's office." The nature of the reform is troubling. Police departments should derive their authority directly from the communities they serve. The current plan for reorganization lays the groundwork for governmental abuse of power. One can only hope that popular resistance will prevent the Chavez government from descending into left-authoritarian rule similar to that of the Venezuelan president's good friend, Castro.