The efficiency of the military police and its relationship with the regional context in Minas Gerais

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the efficiency indicators of the Military Police of Minas Gerais (PMMG) in 2017 and the historical averages of municipal socioeconomic and demographic variables from 2000 to 2016. The efficiency indicators for the PMMG were constructed using the DEA (data envelopment analysis) bootstrapping metafrontier method. The quantile regression method was employed to estimate the relationship between PMMG efficiency and local characteristics. The results revealed that the police forces in most municipalities of Minas Gerais did not achieve the maximum possible efficiency, especially in smalle municipalities. Additionally, the socioeconomic and demographi context of the localities was found to influence the performance of the police force. We conclude that public security policies might consider the regional context and focus on improving management practices in low performing areas, such as small municipalities, which, on average, demonstrated lower efficiency levels.