From the 'Security Caucus' to the 'Bullet Caucus': Police Officers as Congressmen in the São Paulo Legislative Assembly and Discourses on Public Safety

Abstract

Police and military officers have been migrating to institutional party politics since the democratization period in Brazil. Analyzes former officer's discourses at São Paulo's state parliament in different contexts. Drawing from document analysis, the so-called "bullet caucus" of the 18th legislature (2015-2019) was compared to the "security caucus" elected for the first time in the 11th legislature (1987-1991). Although these groups have shown similarities concerning public security, new negotiation strategies, and a dispute over human rights policy have been observed. The paper argues that the "bullet caucus" reorganizes conservatism in the political field by opening spaces of connection with diverse groups.