Ministry of Public Security (Chile)
Government ministry in Chile
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ministry of Public Security (Spanish: Ministerio de Seguridad Pública) is a Chilean government ministry responsible for maintaining public order and ensuring internal public security. It serves as the central authority for political decision-making in these areas, coordinating with other ministries and public services to implement crime prevention programs, offender rehabilitation, and social reintegration initiatives. The ministry also oversees administrative processes required by Chile's Order and Security Forces to carry out their duties effectively.
- Ministry of the Interior and Public Security (2011–2025)
| Ministerio de Seguridad Pública | |
 Governmental logo | |
 Headquarters of the Ministry of Public Security | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 April 2025 |
Preceding agency |
|
| Type | Ministry |
| Jurisdiction | National |
| Headquarters |
|
Minister of Public Security responsible | |
Deputy Ministers responsible |
|
Parent department | Executive Branch |
Parent agency | Presidency of the Republic |
| Website | https://minsegpublica.cl/ |
Established by Law No. 21,730 on 27 January 2024, under President Gabriel Boric, the ministry consists of two undersecretariats: Public Security and Crime Prevention. Since 19 May 2026, Martín Arrau serves as Minister of Public Security. Since 2 June, María del Pilar Giannini Bravo serves as Undersecretary of Public Security and Gonzalo Guerrero Valle as Undersecretary of Crime Prevention.[1]
History
Background
The ministry's origins trace back to 21 February 2011, when Law No. 20,502 renamed the Ministry of the Interior as the "Ministry of the Interior and Public Security."[2] This change, enacted during President Sebastián Piñera's first administration, replaced the Division of Public Security with the Undersecretariat of Crime Prevention and brought Carabineros de Chile and the Investigations Police (PDI) under its jurisdiction.[3][Note 1]
On 3 September 2021, during Piñera's second term, a bill proposed separating public security functions from the Interior Ministry to create greater political stability. The proposal included transferring police forces and creating new cybersecurity agencies under a dedicated ministry.[4] President Gabriel Boric revived the initiative in 2022, initially naming it the Ministry of Public Security, Civil Protection, and Citizen Coexistence.[5] After legislative approval in June 2023, the simplified name "Ministry of Public Security" was adopted.[6] The Chamber of Deputies passed the final bill on 4 December 2024, with operations expected to begin by mid-2025.[7] The ministry was formally established on 27 January 2025, through Decree Law No. 21,730.[8][9] Its launch on 1 April 2025, restored the Interior Ministry's original name while transferring all security-related agencies to the new ministry.[10][11]
Start of operations
The ministry commenced full operations on 1 April 2025.[12]
Minister announcement
After Interior Minister Carolina Tohá's resignation, speculation centered on Undersecretary of the Interior Luis Cordero Vega as her successor. President Boric confirmed Cordero's appointment in a national address.[13][14][11]
Operations
On 27 February 2025, outgoing Interior Minister Tohá revealed via social media that the new ministry would be headquartered at 220 Teatinos Street.[15]
Functions
The ministry's key responsibilities include:[16][17][18]
- Integrated Center for Police Coordination (Cicpol): Advises the minister on risk assessment, complex police operations, and interagency coordination, staffed by officials from the ministry and both police forces.
- National Citizen Protection System: A unified emergency response system (similar to U.S. 911) coordinating police, medical, municipal, and military responses.
- Public Security System Management: Oversees institutions maintaining public order and crime prevention.
- Advisory Councils:
- The National Public Security Council (including ministers of Interior, Defense, Finance, and Justice plus police leadership)
- The National Crime Prevention Council (with ministers from social sectors)
Organization
Undersecretariats
The ministry comprises two undersecretariats:[17]
- Undersecretariat of Public Security:[11] Established in 2025 to oversee public security policy, border control, and organized crime response. It manages:
- Regional Ministerial Secretariats (Seremis) and Provincial Departments implementing localized security measures.[16]
- Undersecretariat of Crime Prevention:[11][Note 2] Transferred from the Interior Ministry in 2025, focusing on crime prevention and offender rehabilitation programs.
Dependent agencies
Key agencies under the ministry's jurisdiction include:[17]
- Police coordination and emergency response units (CICPOL, National Citizen Protection System)
- Cybersecurity agencies (National Cybersecurity Agency, CSIRT Chile, SITia AI system)
- Order and Security Forces:
- Carabineros de Chile
- Investigative Police of Chile (PDI)
- Gendarmería de Chile
- Carabineros' welfare directorate (DIPRECA)
List of ministers
| Minister | Start | End | Party | President | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Luis Cordero Vega[19] | 1 April 2025 | 11 March 2026 | Ind. | Gabriel Boric | |
| 2 | .png) |
Trinidad Steinert | 11 March 2026 | 19 May 2026 | Ind. | José Antonio Kast | |
| 3 | .jpg) |
Martín Arrau | 19 May 2026 | Incumbent | Republican | ||