1. In Brazil, the Federal Constitution establishes five law
enforcement institutions: the Federal Police, the Federal
Highway Police, the Federal Railway Police, the State
Military Police and Fire Brigade, and the State Civil Police.
Of these, the first three are affiliated to federal
authorities and the latter two subordinated to state
governments. All police institutions are part of the
Executive branch of either federal or state government.
According to the Supreme Federal Tribunal, the only
security forces considered police units by Brazilian law
are the ones listed in article 144 of the Federal
Constitution, that is, the five aforementioned police
forces.
