President Javier Milei presented the Federal Department of Investigation

In a historic announcement, President Javier Milei, accompanied by the Minister of National Security, Patricia Bullrich, presented on Tuesday the creation of the Federal Investigation Department (DFI), a new structure within the Argentine Federal Police (PFA) aimed at modernizing and professionalizing the fight against organized crime.

The new agency is part of a comprehensive reform that redefines the Organic Law of the PFA (No. 21,965). The DFI will focus on investigating federal and complex crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, and transnational organized crime, following the model of the United States FBI.

In a brief speech, President Milei explained: "We are going to learn from the United States and Israel to bring Argentine forces up to the level of the FBI," and added: "We have decided to reform the historic Argentine Federal Police and turn it into a force primarily dedicated to criminal investigation."

One of the main changes is that the PFA will cease to act as a local security force, a function that will be fully delegated to the local police. From now on, the PFA will focus exclusively on federal investigations, intervening in other districts only when required or in the case of flagrant crimes.

The reform also affects the internal structure and career system of the force. The direct entry of university professionals with specific training in criminal investigation will be allowed, as well as a merit-based promotion system that will enable non-commissioned officers to advance without going through the traditional training institutes.

In addition, the quota for the entry of non-commissioned officers will be reduced, allocating those resources to an ambitious technological and operational modernization program.

The restructuring will also include a new system for monitoring and evaluating the performance of agents, with support from objective data and information. This framework will allow for more precise measurement of personnel performance and efficiency.

On the budgetary front, the Government of Javier Milei is considering declaring the PFA in a state of emergency for two years, which would enable direct contracting mechanisms as provided for in Decree 1023/01. This measure would allow for the acceleration of acquisitions and logistical reforms necessary for the transformation of the institution.