ENVIRONMENTAL POLICING AND PUBLIC SECURITY: THE ROLE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICE BATTALION IN COMBATING ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES IN PARÁ

Abstract

Environmental protection constitutes an important dimension of public security, especially in the State of Pará, a territory characterized by extensive biodiversity and abundant natural resources, while simultaneously affected by illegal practices related to deforestation, illegal logging, mining, predatory fishing, wildlife trafficking and other forms of environmental degradation. In this context, the Environmental Police Battalion (BPA), part of the Military Police of Pará, performs a strategic role in preventing and repressing environmental offenses and crimes. This article aims to analyze the activities of the Environmental Police Battalion in combating environmental crimes in Pará, highlighting its institutional trajectory, responsibilities, policing strategies and participation in integrated environmental command and control actions. Methodologically, this is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study based on bibliographic and documentary research, using as its main supporting material the handbook Environmental Protection, Climate Change and Public Security, prepared within the Military Police of Pará. The analysis demonstrates that the BPA's activities go beyond the exclusively repressive dimension, encompassing inspection, prevention, environmental education and interinstitutional cooperation. It is concluded that environmental policing constitutes an important instrument for preserving environmental public order and implementing the constitutional right to an ecologically balanced environment, although the territorial characteristics of Pará impose permanent challenges to the expansion and strengthening of inspection activities.