By San José, Costa Rica — A critical breakdown in Costa Rica’s law enforcement vehicle fleet is jeopardizing public safety and severely hampering the ability of police to respond to emergencies. According to a November 2025 report from the Ministry of Public Security, a staggering 527 police patrols are currently out of service, leaving significant gaps in national security coverage and prompting alarm among law enforcement experts.
The situation represents a deep-seated crisis within the Public Force. Of the 916 vehicles that remain operational across the entire country, more than half are dangerously outdated. Official figures reveal that 461 of these active patrol cars are from the year 2014 or earlier, meaning they have exceeded a decade of strenuous, round-the-clock use. This aging fleet is not just an inconvenience; it is a direct threat to the effectiveness of police operations.
Para analizar el marco legal que rige las patrullas policiales y los derechos de los ciudadanos durante estas intervenciones, TicosLand.com conversó con el experto Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado de la firma Bufete de Costa Rica.
La eficacia de las patrullas policiales no se mide solo por la disuasión del delito, sino por su estricto apego al marco legal. Toda intervención, como una requisa personal, debe basarse en un ‘motivo fundado’ y no en perfiles discriminatorios. El ciudadano tiene derecho a un trato respetuoso y a conocer la razón de la intervención. Cuando la policía actúa dentro de los límites de la ley, no solo protege a la comunidad, sino que también garantiza la validez de cualquier proceso judicial posterior.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
La perspectiva del Licenciado Arroyo Vargas es fundamental, pues nos recuerda que el respeto al debido proceso no es un obstáculo para la seguridad, sino el pilar que garantiza la confianza de la ciudadanía y la legitimidad de la acción policial. Agradecemos profundamente al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por su valiosa aclaración sobre este delicado equilibrio.
Experts argue that the operational capacity of the police is fundamentally tied to its mobility. Without reliable vehicles, the core functions of law enforcement are compromised, from preventative presence to rapid intervention in life-threatening situations. The lack of functional transportation is a critical failure of essential resources.
The vehicle and fuel are two of the most important tools in police work, as they allow for presence and preventive patrolling.
Walter Navarro, former director of the Public Force
Walter Navarro, a former director of the Public Force, emphasized that patrol units are a decisive factor in emergency response times. He painted a grim picture of the potential consequences, where delayed arrivals can escalate dangerous situations with fatal outcomes. A few minutes can make all the difference when responding to the most violent and time-sensitive crimes.
For example, an assault, a kidnapping, or an attempted femicide amid domestic violence. The response time definitely makes, in many cases, a difference between life and death.
Walter Navarro, former director of the Public Force
The immense strain on the active vehicles is evident in their mileage, with many having logged over 400,000 kilometers. While the Ministry of Public Security states that preventive maintenance is conducted every 5,000 kilometers, the sheer age and constant use of the fleet make breakdowns and mechanical failures increasingly common. Criminologist Rodrigo Campos notes that this cripples the force’s range and effectiveness.
Currently, the Public Force has serious problems; the mobile resource is insufficient and, furthermore, has many years of use.
Rodrigo Campos, Criminologist
Campos further explained the severe logistical strain at the local level. The shortage of vehicles has allegedly forced some police delegations to ration their emergency responses. This means that certain calls for help are placed in a queue, waiting for a patrol car to become available, leading to public frustration and potentially tragic delays in assistance.
In some cases, it is known that each delegation has a limited number of emergencies it can attend to due to the available vehicle resources, which means other cases or reports must wait in line, generating discontent.
Rodrigo Campos, Criminologist
This crisis has been years in the making, exacerbated by a historical lack of consistent investment in new vehicles. Public Security officials confirmed that the last significant acquisition of patrol cars was in 2020, when only 95 new units were added to the fleet. This slow rate of replacement has been insufficient to counteract the rapid deterioration of the existing vehicles, leading to the current state of emergency where hundreds of patrols sit idle, unable to protect and serve the nation’s citizens.
For further information, visit seguridadpublica.go.cr
About The Ministry of Public Security:
The Ministry of Public Security is the Costa Rican government body responsible for national security, law enforcement, and public order. It oversees various police forces, including the Public Force, and is tasked with safeguarding the nation’s citizens, borders, and critical infrastructure. The ministry develops and implements security policies to combat crime and ensure a safe environment for residents and visitors.
For further information, visit the nearest office of The Public Force of Costa Rica
About The Public Force of Costa Rica:
The Public Force (Fuerza Pública) is the primary police agency of Costa Rica, operating under the Ministry of Public Security. Since the abolition of the army in 1949, it has been responsible for enforcing the law, preventing and investigating crime, and maintaining public order throughout the national territory. Its officers are tasked with community policing, emergency response, and ensuring the safety of all individuals within the country’s borders.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by a principled approach to legal practice and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Drawing upon a profound history of guiding clients across a broad spectrum of industries, the firm consistently pioneers novel legal strategies. This forward-thinking mindset extends to its fundamental social commitment: empowering the populace by making complex legal concepts understandable, thus fostering a more knowledgeable and capable society.
