Mexico Leader Touts Efforts for 'Lasting Security' Olga R. Rodriguez - Associated Press
go to original September 2, 2012

Mexican President Felipe Calderon accompanied by his wife Margarita Zavala (R) waves as they leave the polling center during general election in Mexico City on July 1, 2012. (Yuri Cortez/Getty Images)

MEXICO CITY  - President Felipe Calderon delivered the last state-of-the-nation report of his administration Saturday, saying he is leaving Mexico with the foundation for "true and lasting security."

The written report delivered to Congress by Interior Minister Alejandro Poire also said Mexico has a strong and growing economy despite the world's difficult financial environment.

Calderon plans to deliver an address based on the report Monday.

The president said Mexico has made the largest investment in its history in security during his six-year administration, allowing the federal police force to be purged of bad officers. He said he also reformed laws to better coordinate security operations and that federal forces have made historic strikes against organized crime.

"Today we have better laws, with modern federal security and justice institutions that are better equipped and trained," Calderon's report said. "The effort has made it possible to build the foundation of a true and lasting security."

Calderon touted the transformation of the federal police, which he said has grown from 6,000 officers to 36,000 during his term, including 7,000 college graduates who joined the force.

The federal Public Safety Department, which oversees federal police officers, and the Attorney General's Office have vetted 100 percent of their agents with background checks, he added.

But the president said still more needs to be done to improve security in the country.

Local and state police departments have only vetted 45 percent of their officers through July, with evaluations pending for more than 239,000 officers, he said.

"The day we have reliable police and prosecutors, and trustworthy judges in each of the states of the republic, that day we will have won the battle for the safety of Mexicans," Calderon wrote.

Read more at ABC News

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