Brasília, 16/10/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The state of Maranhão has joined the country's Unified Public Security System (SUSP), which was set up to combat organized crime by organizing Brazil's law enforcement agencies nationwide. Maranhão governor, José Reinaldo Tavares, and the national secretary of Public Security, Luiz Eduardo Soares, signed a contract making the state's enrollment in the SUSP official.

The SUSP creates a nacional databank on crime, emphasizes preventive action and modern management techniques in law enforcement, and standardizes police activities throughout the country. (AB)