The head of Peru’s National Police, Commander General Óscar Arriola, announced Sunday that he is resigning his post following months of criticism over the force’s handling of a violent crime wave across the country.
Peruvian officials said the transition to a new commander will happen over the coming days. Arriola will be succeeded by Lieutenant General Fredy López Mendoza, who has served as chief of the police force’s general staff since January 1 and previously led its national criminal investigation and anti-corruption divisions, according to Radio Programas del Peru.
Arriola took charge of the police force in late 2025 under then-President Dina Boluarte, just before she was impeached. During his roughly one-year tenure, Peru cycled through four presidents — Boluarte, José Jerí, José María Balcázar, and current President Keiko Fujimori, who took office in late July.
His time in charge coincided with a sharp rise in violent crime. Local law enforcement recorded more than 194,000 crimes in the first three months of 2026 alone. Although authorities later reported declines in homicides, extortions, kidnappings and robberies, the numbers remained high — the newspaper La República reported at least 169 homicides in August 2026 alone.
Arriola confirmed his departure during an official broadcast Sunday night, appearing alongside Prime Minister Luis Galarreta and Interior Minister César Astudillo.
“I am leaving with a completely clear conscience and my head held high, just as I have done ever since I left my beloved Chiclayo. Many thanks to President Keiko Fujimori for this opportunity, as well as to President Boluarte, President Jerí, and, of course, President Balcázar,” Arriola said.
Arriola denied that President Fujimori had pushed him out, saying the decision stemmed from a “personal evaluation” related to the country’s governance and institutions. However, La República reported, citing unnamed government sources, that his exit had reportedly been agreed upon with the government since at least mid-August. Arriola also thanked Fujimori for her “support received” in recent weeks “despite the challenges that reality has brought to light in our dear and beloved Peru.”
Prime Minister Galarreta said Arriola will formally request retirement from the police force once his resignation takes effect, calling the move a “gesture of commitment” to the country in light of Arriola’s career.
Galarreta said strengthening security remains a top priority for the Fujimori administration. He described the security situation as “complicated” but said the government is “resolute in its fight against crime and that the measures adopted are already yielding results.”
“Crime seeks to challenge us as a society and as a state, and we cannot allow that,” Galarreta said.
The prime minister added that the government intends to give the National Police new resources to carry out its constitutional mission of preserving security, with the stated goal of moving toward a “safe Peru.”
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