José Figueroa Sancha
Encyclopedia
José Figueroa Sancha is a former Superintendent
of the Puerto Rico Police Department and former Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations in Puerto Rico. After being appointed by Governor of Puerto Rico
Luis Fortuño
as Superintendent in 2008, he resigned in 2011 amidst criticisms in the middle of a crime wave in the island.
was killed in September 2005. He was also the agent in charge of an operative at an apartment building in Río Piedras
where agents pushed and shoved members of the press, spraying them with pepper spray
. The incident caused a lot of commotion amongst the press community and the Puerto Rico Press Association and the Overseas Press Club
sued the FBI.
named Figueroa Sancha as Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police Department, and he was confirmed by the Senate
in January.
During 2010, Figueroa Sancha dealt with numerous riots and incidents involving students of the University of Puerto Rico
and members of the police. These were as a result of a student's strike against new policies from the University administration and the government.
In 2011, the rate of murders in Puerto Rico increased rapidly, which led many sectors to ask for Figueroa Sancha's resignation. Figueroa Sancha officially resigned on July 2, 2011, after less than three years in his position, after criticism for his work and the lack of positive results under his command. Allegedly, the governor asked him to resign, but this was denied by the government. Puerto Rico recorded its second-worst year for killings under his watch in 2010, while 2011 is currently the worst in the history of the island.
, Thomas Rivera Schatz
and Héctor O'Neill, for a possible aspiration to the Senate of Puerto Rico
. However, Jorge Santini
, mayor of San Juan, didn't support him. Two days later, Figueroa Sancha announced that he wouldn't run for the Senate and would instead dedicate his time to a private security company he had started.
Superintendent (police)
Superintendent , often shortened to "super", is a rank in British police services and in most English-speaking Commonwealth nations. In many Commonwealth countries the full version is superintendent of police...
of the Puerto Rico Police Department and former Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations in Puerto Rico. After being appointed by Governor of Puerto Rico
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
Luis Fortuño
Luis Fortuño
Luis Guillermo Fortuño Burset is the governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States of America. Fortuño is also the president of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico , a member of the Republican National Committee, and will be president of the Council of State...
as Superintendent in 2008, he resigned in 2011 amidst criticisms in the middle of a crime wave in the island.
Career with the FBI
As Deputy Director of the FBI in Puerto Rico, Figueroa Sancha was one of the people in charge of the operative where Filiberto Ojeda RíosFiliberto Ojeda Ríos
Filiberto Ojeda Ríos was the commander-in-chief of the Boricua Popular Army , a clandestine paramilitary organization that considers United States rule over Puerto Rico to be oppressive colonization and advocates the latter's independence.Ojeda Ríos was a...
was killed in September 2005. He was also the agent in charge of an operative at an apartment building in Río Piedras
Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
Río Piedras is a district of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Founded in 1714, it has been the home of the University of Puerto Rico's main campus since 1903, earning the town the popular name of Ciudad Universitaria...
where agents pushed and shoved members of the press, spraying them with pepper spray
Pepper spray
Pepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
. The incident caused a lot of commotion amongst the press community and the Puerto Rico Press Association and the Overseas Press Club
Overseas Press Club
The Overseas Press Club of America was founded in 1939 in New York City by a group of foreign correspondents. The wire service reporter Carol Weld was a founding member...
sued the FBI.
Career as Superintendent
In November 2009, Puerto Rico Governor-elect Luis FortuñoLuis Fortuño
Luis Guillermo Fortuño Burset is the governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States of America. Fortuño is also the president of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico , a member of the Republican National Committee, and will be president of the Council of State...
named Figueroa Sancha as Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police Department, and he was confirmed by the Senate
Senate of Puerto Rico
The Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...
in January.
During 2010, Figueroa Sancha dealt with numerous riots and incidents involving students of the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
and members of the police. These were as a result of a student's strike against new policies from the University administration and the government.
In 2011, the rate of murders in Puerto Rico increased rapidly, which led many sectors to ask for Figueroa Sancha's resignation. Figueroa Sancha officially resigned on July 2, 2011, after less than three years in his position, after criticism for his work and the lack of positive results under his command. Allegedly, the governor asked him to resign, but this was denied by the government. Puerto Rico recorded its second-worst year for killings under his watch in 2010, while 2011 is currently the worst in the history of the island.
Political aspirations
After his resignation, Figueroa Sancha admitted that he had been approached by leaders of the PNPNew Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
The New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that advocates for Puerto Rico's admission to the United States of America as the 51st state...
, Thomas Rivera Schatz
Thomas Rivera Schatz
Thomas "Tommy" Rivera Schätz is a Puerto Rican politician currently serving as the fourteenth President of the Senate of Puerto Rico. He is affiliated with the pro-statehood New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico and the United States Republican Party...
and Héctor O'Neill, for a possible aspiration to the Senate of Puerto Rico
Senate of Puerto Rico
The Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...
. However, Jorge Santini
Jorge Santini
Jorge Santini Padilla in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is an Puerto Rican Politician and current Mayor of San Juan City.-Biography:...
, mayor of San Juan, didn't support him. Two days later, Figueroa Sancha announced that he wouldn't run for the Senate and would instead dedicate his time to a private security company he had started.