Peru's Police Chief Steps Down as Homicide Toll Peaks in August

Commander General Óscar Arriola, who took charge of the Peruvian National Police in late 2025, announced his resignation on Sunday, saying he departs with a clear conscience after a period marked by intense scrutiny of the force’s ability to curb crime. During his roughly one-year term, Peru experienced a dramatic increase in violent offenses, with officials recording more than 194,000 crimes in the first three months of 2026 and at least 169 homicides in August alone.

Although recent months have seen modest declines in murders, extortions, kidnappings and robberies, critics argue the improvements are insufficient. In an official broadcast, Prime Minister Luis Galarreta confirmed that Lieutenant General Fredy López Mendoza, currently chief of the police general staff, will assume the role of commander. President Keiko Fujimori, who assumed office in late July, reiterated the government’s commitment to bolster security and allocate new resources to the police. Arriola rejected claims that his departure was forced by the president, describing the move as a personal decision tied to institutional considerations.