Police and rights trough the point of view of residents of two slums in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

This article presents the point of view of dwellers of Cantagalo and Pavão-Pavãozinho slums on the police institutions and their agents. It is important to focus on the perceptions that dwellers have on police institutions for they allow us to understand their demands and claims, and contribute to improve the quality of public service offered to this segment of the population. The narratives, while presenting several complaints against the police, reveal concepts of citizenship based on local categories that promote the status of “taxpayers” and the distinction between “a good person” and “movement”. Through these categories, dwellers talk about their expectations of the desire for a change in the relationship with the police and the demands for respect and recognition of their rights.