Why Off-Duty Police Officers in Argentina Are ‘Killing and Dying More’ Amid Economic Hardship
Why off duty cops in second – In the heart of Argentina’s economic crisis, a 37-year-old federal police officer named Diego found himself forced to take on a second job. With his salary failing to cover the rising cost of living, he began driving for a rideshare service during his free hours. His 12-hour workdays were followed by additional shifts, and on weekends, he spent most of his time behind the wheel. This is no isolated case; across the country, thousands of officers have been compelled to work in the private sector to make ends meet. Yet, the situation takes on a more troubling dimension when considering the deadly consequences of their dual roles.
Austerity Measures and Economic Strain
President Javier Milei’s aggressive austerity policies have exacerbated Argentina’s financial woes, pushing millions into desperate circumstances. While the economy has shown slight recovery, wages have stagnated, and inflation continues to erode purchasing power. As a result, families are increasingly relying on credit to afford essentials like groceries. For Diego, the situation reached a breaking point when his income could no longer sustain his household. “I used to earn enough to pay rent and buy food, but now I have to work extra hours just to cover the basics,” he explained. His experience reflects a broader trend: many officers are working beyond their official duties to survive.
The shift to second jobs is not just a personal choice but a necessity driven by systemic underfunding. With the government slashing public sector budgets, police officers have faced cuts in pay and benefits. “The system is broken. We’re working 12-hour shifts, then doing more on the side. It’s a race against time to keep our families from falling into poverty,” said another officer in Buenos Aires province. This pressure has led to a dangerous compromise—officers are carrying their service weapons into civilian life, where they may encounter threats without the same level of support as during official patrols.
Alarming Trends in Fatalities
Data from the Centre for Legal and Social Studies (Cels) reveals a stark rise in deaths involving off-duty police officers. In 2025 alone, 75% of incidents where service firearms were used resulted in fatalities, and a significant portion of these occurred while officers were working second jobs. This marks a sharp contrast to 2020, when only two such cases were recorded. The numbers have surged, raising concerns about the intersection of economic hardship and law enforcement.
Victoria Darraidou, a policy coordinator at Cels, highlights the growing risk. “When officers are off duty, they’re less regulated, and more likely to act impulsively with their weapons. It’s a perfect storm of stress, financial need, and the continued presence of firearms,” she said. The trend is particularly evident in the rideshare sector, where 13% of all police-related fatalities involved officers working as drivers. This includes incidents where officers used their guns in self-defense, but the frequency suggests a pattern of escalation.
One such case took place in February 2026, when a 30-year-old officer in La Matanza, Buenos Aires, was shot by two men who attempted to rob him during a routine drop-off. The officers, armed with their service weapons, fired in response, killing both assailants. A month earlier, in December 2025, a similar incident occurred when a 15-year-old was fatally shot by a federal police officer who was also driving for a rideshare service. The teenager allegedly attacked the officer after a group of men surrounded his car, one of whom was believed to be holding a gun. The officer identified himself before pulling the trigger, leaving the bullet to strike one of the attackers, who later succumbed to his injuries in a hospital.
Second Jobs and the Risks They Bring
Despite regulations prohibiting drivers from carrying firearms, many officers defy the rules. Both Uber and DiDi, popular in Argentina, ban the use of service weapons, yet officers often transport them in their vehicles. “We have to be prepared for anything. Even if the rules say we can’t carry guns, we do,” said a source from the Buenos Aires police force. The lack of oversight in private work environments creates a scenario where officers may respond to threats with lethal force, sometimes without warning.
Some officers have adopted alternative strategies, such as avoiding high-risk areas or altering their routes to minimize exposure. However, the majority still carry their weapons at all times, fearing both crime and the potential for misidentification. “You never know when someone might see you as a threat. We’re not just policing the streets anymore—we’re policing our own survival,” one officer noted. This constant vigilance has blurred the lines between duty and personal safety, leaving officers vulnerable to both external and internal dangers.
Systemic Challenges and Government Response
The issue extends beyond individual choices, reflecting deeper structural problems. Many officers report that their take-home pay, even with extra shifts, falls below the government’s poverty line for a family of four, which is set at approximately $1,000 monthly. “We’re living paycheck to paycheck, and our salaries are barely enough to keep us afloat. It’s a cycle of debt that forces us to take risks we wouldn’t otherwise consider,” a female officer from Buenos Aires province said. This financial strain has led to a surge in resignations, with more than 16 members of the security forces leaving their posts in 2025 compared to just two in 2020.
Despite the growing discontent, Milei’s administration continues to advocate for the police. The president has framed the security forces as a stabilizing force, even as austerity measures have placed them under immense pressure. “We need to trust our officers, even when they’re off duty,” Milei said in a recent speech. Yet, the data tells a different story. With officers increasingly exposed to danger outside their official roles, the line between public service and personal survival is being tested.
Human rights groups warn that the current situation could lead to a long-term erosion of trust in law enforcement. “When officers are armed and working in civilian jobs, the potential for mistakes increases. A person in a hurry might misinterpret a gesture, or a sudden threat could escalate quickly,” said Darraidou. The cases in 2025 have sparked calls for reform, including stricter protocols for officers working second jobs and increased funding for the public sector.
Implications for Public Safety
The rise in off-duty fatalities underscores a critical vulnerability in Argentina’s security framework. While police officers are trained to handle threats in uniform, the circumstances of their second jobs introduce new variables. For example, during a February incident, a rideshare driver with the Buenos Aires police force was shot by a passenger attempting to rob him. The officer, armed with his service weapon, fired back, killing the assailant. Tragically, the officer also died from his injuries, marking a sobering reminder of the risks involved.
These events highlight the tension between economic necessity and law enforcement responsibilities. Officers are not only fighting crime but also surviving it, often with their families depending on their income. “It’s not just about making money—it’s about keeping our families safe,” said Diego, who continues to work as a rideshare driver. His story, like those of many others, illustrates the human cost of Argentina’s economic crisis. As the recession deepens, the question remains: can a society afford to have its protectors become victims of the very system they are meant to serve?
Experts warn that without intervention, the trend could worsen. “The more officers are pushed into precarious situations, the more likely they are to make split-second decisions that result in deadly outcomes,” Darraidou emphasized. The Cels report adds that the proportion of off-duty incidents involving firearms has grown significantly, with officers now more frequently carrying weapons into areas where they might encounter violence. This shift has created a scenario where the police are not just enforcing laws but also participating in the cycle of conflict that defines Argentina’s current economic landscape.
As the country grapples with its financial challenges, the plight of off-duty officers serves as a microcosm of the broader societal impact. Their dual roles have become a symbol of the struggle between survival and duty, with each incident raising new questions about the balance between public safety and economic sustainability. For now, the streets of Buenos Aires and other cities remain a battleground where officers are both protectors and prey, their service weapons a constant reminder of the stakes involved.
“Police officers kill and die more when they are off duty. This is because they use their guns without planning, with no support, and in disproportionate ways, and this puts other people and themselves at risk,” said Victoria Darraidou of Cels.
With the government under pressure to stabilize the economy, the dilemma facing officers is a stark reminder of the human toll of austerity. As the recession continues to deepen, the question is no longer just about survival—it’s about whether the system can support those who are meant to safeguard it.
