Chile expands flagrancy period and police investigative powers

President José Antonio Kast has promulgated a new law that extends the flagrancy period for the Carabineros and the PDI from 12 to 24 hours. For the Maritime Authority, the period is extended to 48 hours.

The legislation introduces new investigative tools, allowing police to voluntarily obtain camera footage and georeferencing data. The extension aims to address challenges in rural or remote areas where immediate action is difficult, and covers cases where suspects are identified later via witnesses, victims, or digital evidence.

Additionally, the law recognizes the Maritime Authority as an auxiliary to the Public Ministry, granting it autonomous powers for identity controls on vessels, port facilities, and territorial waters. This initiative is the first proposal from the Agenda against Organized Crime and Terrorism to pass through Congress.