With more than 10,000 accredited participants, the Police Operations Congress began on Wednesday in São Paulo, with a massive presence of public security and defence managers and agents from all states, as well as the Federal District.
The 4th Police Operations Congress – COP International, which runs until 18 October at the São Paulo Expo in São Paulo, began on Wednesday. During the opening ceremony, authorities from the sector pointed out the importance of the event for integration between the various public security and defence entities, promoting discussions on crucial issues for all the forces involved.
Colonel Cassio Araújo, General Commander of the São Paulo Military Police and President of the National Council of General Commanders (CNCG), spoke about the scenario of increasing risk for Brazilian public security professionals. ‘The complexity of the public security scenario has increased the risks for our professionals in the field. Events like COP allow us to access the best in terms of technologies and solutions so that we can face these challenges, as well as the unprecedented opportunity to meet face-to-face with colleagues from other regions and strengthen our partnerships,’ he explained.
The Secretary of Public Security for the Federal District and President of the National Council of Secretaries of Public Security (Consesp), Dr Sandro Avelar, stressed the grandeur of COP International and the relevance of the participants. ‘Here are those who truly know and live the problems of public security in every corner of the country, who have the opportunity to discuss actions and improvements to a topic that is often exploited by those who don’t really understand it,’ he said.
The General Commander of the Goiás Fire Brigade and President of the National Council of Military Fire Brigades of Brazil (Ligabom), Washington Luiz Vaz, recalled the integrated work during the two major climate tragedies in Brazil in 2024. ‘The importance of integration has never been more demonstrated than in the recent climate tragedies, especially in Rio Grande do Sul and the fires that have recently occurred across the country. All the security forces were united to combat these challenges,’ he emphasised.
The creator and organiser of COP International, João Sansone, expressed his pride at holding the event in São Paulo for the second year running. ‘COP is growing and becoming a benchmark, humanising police activity in our country,’ he concluded.
With more than 60 exhibitors at the trade fair, including international companies presenting innovations in world-class solutions and equipment to the Brazilian market, the organisation of COP International highlights the unprecedented partnership with Enforce Tac, the main trade fair for the public security sector in Europe, which traditionally takes place in February in Germany and is the meeting point for professionals, government agencies and armed forces in Europe. In its last edition it brought together more than 12,000 visitors from 86 countries.
COP International is the largest Latin American event focussed on police activity, free of charge for professionals in the sector and open to the public over the age of 18. This year more than 10,000 people have registered for the event and registrations can still be made at https://cop.pro.br/.