Just Prior to Elections, Rio de Janeiro State Legislature Revives ‘Wild West Bonus’ and Elects Its Author Chair of Human Rights Commission
Clique aqui para Português This article is part of a series on the 2026 Brazilian elections, focusing on the perspectives of Greater Rio’s favelas. Whether in 1995 or 2025: The ‘Wild West Bonus’ Is an [...]
In Rio de Janeiro, the state legislature revived a controversial policy known as the 'Wild West bonus' in September 2025. This policy, which first originated in 1995 under former Governor Marcello Alencar, rewards police officers for carrying out extrajudicial executions of suspects. The bonus, amounting to 10% to 150% of an officer's salary, has sparked significant outrage and protests.
Critics argue that the measure is nothing more than an electioneering tactic, as it has been proven to increase police lethality and encourage crime, particularly in favelas such as Complexo do Alemão and Complexo da Penha.
Written by urgent.news from RioOnWatch's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
