Mexico: Half of police fail evaluations

Almost half of Mexican police officers examined this year have failed background and security tests, a figure that rises to nearly nine of 10 officers in the border state of Baja California, the government reported. Nationwide, 49% of officers scored ‘not recommendable’ on the tests, compared with 42% that rated ‘recommendable.’ In Baja California, which includes Tijuana, a city riven by drug violence, about 89% failed, and only 4% were judged ‘recommendable.’ The tests -- which involved lie detectors, drug tests, psychological profiling and tests of personal wealth -- were intended to root out corrupt, incompetent and unfit officers. The report did not break down how many officers failed each category.