Tarcísio anticipates Derrite departure from SP Public Security to avoid wear and tear

São Paulo Secretary of Public Security, Guilherme Derrite (PP), will leave the Tarcísio de Freitas (Republican) government until December this year to run for a Senate seat in 2026. Although the legislation allows him to stay in office until April next year, the departure was anticipated after agreement with the governor, who already seeks an electoral name to replace him.

Derrite will return to the House of Representatives, where he has a mandate, with the justification that he may be more free to defend his projects and expand his visibility of an eye on the campaign. The movement, however, also meets Tarcisio’s interest in reducing the political wear and tear caused by the recurring crises in public security under Derrite command.

Although management has registered a drop in homicides (from 2,909 by 2022 to 2,517 in 2023), theft (from 242,991 to 193,714) and murder (from 178 to 166), there was a strong increase in deaths from military police in service (from 256 to 649) and in cases of rape (from 13,240 to 14,579). The data are from the Secretariat of Public Security itself.

The government’s image was also scratched by episodes of great repercussion, such as the death of a four -year -old child during a PM operation in Santos, the murder of a medical student by a police officer, and the case of a black man shot 11 times on his back by a off -duty military man. There was also a record of a policeman playing a man from a bridge. In addition, a series of murders in the city of São Paulo has placed police efficiency.

The trigger for distancing between Tarcisio and Derrite occurred in November 2024, after the murder of CCP whistleblower Antonio Gritzbach at Guarulhos airport. Even after the governor asked him to cancel an international trip, Derrite was seen at a party in Maresias a few hours after the crime.

Overexposition

In addition to the administrative wear and tear, Tarcisio also considers that the secretary has used the election bias, intensifying his exposure on social networks and assuming more radical attitude than that of the governor himself. The difference in positioning was evident in the reactions to PEC of Public Security, proposed by Minister Ricardo Lewandowski. While Tarcisio adopted institutional tone, Derrite directly attacked the minister, calling his lines “bullshit.”

At an event at the end of 2024 with Lewandowski and STF Minister Gilmar Mendes, Tarcisio recognized excesses in public safety and said he was sorry for being opposed to the use of body cameras in the PM uniforms. The speech caused discomfort in Derrite, which was in the audience.

Despite the wear and tear, the secretary’s departure will be publicly built as part of his political project to the Senate. Tarcísio intends to maintain an image of unit in the center-right group, which should face the left led by Lula in 2026. In the act of derrite affiliation to the PP in May, the governor attended and the event was rescheduled to adapt to his agenda.

Exit

Among those quoted to succeed Derrite is Marcello Streifinger, current secretary of Penitentiary Administration. With a technical profile and without electoral ambitions, Streifinger is seen as a favorite by Tarcisio-he was even considered for public safety at the beginning of management, but was passed on by pressure from former President Jair Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo.

In addition to Derrite, five other secretaries should leave the government to dispute elective positions in 2026, including names in Civil House, agriculture, policies for women, sports and tourism. Succession still depends on party arrangements, but Tarcisio is already moving to avoid further turmoil in the election year.