São Paulo police face allegations of misconduct in separate incidents

Military Police in São Paulo are facing allegations of misconduct in two distinct incidents involving civilian encounters.

In Nova Odessa, the family of 27-year-old William de Marco Machado has accused officers of torture during an August 29 approach. The defense claims Machado, who was experiencing a psychological crisis following a family tragedy, was assaulted while being contained. Police records offer a different account, stating they responded to a domestic violence call involving threats to a child and that moderate force was used to subdue an aggressive individual.

In a separate incident in the Vila Curuçá district of São Paulo, family members and witnesses have accused officers of executing 39-year-old metalworker Luiz Rodrigues de Santana Júnior during a police approach on November 5. Surveillance footage reportedly shows officers firing a rifle and a pistol at Santana Júnior’s vehicle. While the police report claims the encounter was a standard approach, preliminary medical exams indicated gunshot wounds to the head, face, neck, and torso. The Homicide and Personal Protection Department (DHPP) is investigating the death.