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How Morelia Police Rebuilt Public Trust and Reduced Crime with Axon Technology

Under the leadership of Alejandro G. Cussi, Municipal Commissioner of Public Security, Morelia has embraced a strategic approach to public safety. The city's civic justice and policing model has earned international recognition from the International Peace Forum in Paris, the German Society for International Cooperation, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The challenge

In 2018, Morelia Police faced public scrutiny when the arrest of a 16-year-old went viral. Although the arrest followed department protocol, the absence of body-worn camera footage left the incident open to interpretation, leading to a decline in public trust. Determined to improve transparency and strengthen community relationships, Commissioner Cussi and Mayor Alfonso Martínez Alcázar made a pivotal decision: equip every municipal police officer with a body-worn camera to ensure accurate documentation of police-citizen interactions.

How Morelia Police Rebuilt Public Trust

The solution

After evaluating multiple options, Morelia Police selected Axon body-worn cameras for their public safety-focused design and real-time documentation capabilities. To maximize the value of captured footage, the agency also implemented Axon Evidence, Axon’s cloud-based digital evidence management system. This enabled Morelia Police to securely store and share evidence across agencies and jurisdictions, streamlining investigations and reinforcing transparency efforts.

The results

Since implementing Axon body-worn cameras and Axon Evidence in 2022, Morelia Police have achieved historic crime reductions across the city. According to data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System:

  • Home burglaries have decreased by 39%

  • Business robberies have dropped by 41.6%

  • Pedestrian robberies have declined by 58%

Beyond crime reduction, public perception of Morelia Police has significantly improved. According to the National Urban Public Security Survey (INEGI), between 2021 and 2024:

  • Perception of police performance increased by 32%

  • Public trust in the department rose by 23% compared to the previous administration

These measurable improvements have positioned Morelia Police as a model for modern policing in Mexico. Commissioner Cussi credits this success to strategic leadership, optimized resource allocation, and cutting-edge technology. He states: “Our mission is to position Morelia Police as one of the top 10 law enforcement agencies in Mexico. We have made this possible through a strategy based on resource optimization, technology implemented with strategic allies like Axon, and improved working conditions for our officers.”

By leveraging Axon’s innovative technology, Morelia Police have not only rebuilt public trust—they have established themselves as a leader in law enforcement innovation.

Protect more lives in more places. Learn more at axon.com.