RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) – Officers who form part of the security force for the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro are complaining about delayed salaries and unfurnished accommodations, where many are forced to sleep on the floor.
“Morale is rock bottom,” said one member of the National Force, which is formed by police and fire services from states across Brazil to provide security for major events and emergencies.
National Force officers already in Rio – part of an overall security deployment of 85,000 police, soldiers and other personnel – form a relatively small part of the overall effort, with about 5,000 members.
The officer, who asked not be named to avoid punishment by superiors, said dozens of colleagues have decided to return to their home states because of delayed pay and sparse conditions in newly built public housing, some of it still lacking furniture and other accommodations.
