Another Uniform Change

Like the AFI, the PFP is set to disappear, replaced by the Policia Federal. In this case, it seems like the change will not be a mere matter of uniforms, but will also include enhanced that officials will make the PFP a first-rate investigative body. With a judge's approval, the FP will be able to engage in undercover activities, and will also be able to eavesdrop via satelite on communication suspected to be related to drug trafficking, kidnapping, people smuggling, and other federal crimes.

As far as protecting civil liberties, the Excélsior write-up offers the following (and apologies for any errors in the translation, my grasp of Mexican legalese is a bit lacking):

The new article 16 of the Constitution orders that "no one can be molested in his person, family, domicile, papers, or possessions, without the virtue of written authorization of the relevant authority, that causes and motivates the legal cause of the procedure.

"Every person has the right to protection of their personal information, access, rectification and cancelation of the same, as they have the right to opposition, in the terms set by the law, which establishes the reasons for exception from the principles that govern the treatment of information, for reasons of national security, dispositions of public order, security, and public health or to protect the health of third parties.

"An order of apprehension shall not be issued without judicial authority and without an accusation or complaint proceeding of an event that law names as a crime, sanctioned with a penalty of privation of liberty and a presentation of facts that establish that the crime has been committed and there exists the probability that the accused committed the crime or participated in its commission..."

Of course, none of that is worth a whole lot without a willingness to protect the rights of the accused and punish officials for abuse.