# Internal Crisis Deepens as Federal Police Chief Resigns from Association Removal of investigators in the Banco Master case sparks institutional conflict and criticism. - **Source:** [Folha – Poder](https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/631ea546-edf1-4d21-9bcd-229e4ffa3dea ## Escalating Institutional Conflict The Brazilian Federal Police is facing a severe internal crisis following the removal of two high-ranking delegates involved in the Banco Master investigation. This decision by Director-General Andrei Rodrigues has triggered significant backlash, leading to his formal resignation from the National Association of Federal Police Delegates, known as the ADPF. ## Disputed Investigation Reports The controversy centers on reports regarding the relationship between Supreme Court ministers and the Banco Master institution. Reports indicate that Rodrigues was dissatisfied with the initial findings produced by the delegates and ordered them to be redone, a move that critics argue compromises the autonomy of the ongoing judicial police investigations. ## Official Justification vs Reality The Federal Police leadership officially attributed the removal of Daniel Mostardeiro Cola and Wedson Cajé Lopes to a broader institutional restructuring process. However, internal sources suggest the move was driven by a perceived breach of hierarchy and a loss of trust between the delegates and the current police administration in Brasília. ## Association and Political Tensions Andrei Rodrigues justified his departure from the ADPF by claiming the entity is currently controlled by a far-right faction. He further alleged that the association failed to support the institution during recent political attacks. The ADPF countered by criticizing the removals as an inadmissible interference in the independence of police investigations. ## Broader Judicial Context This incident follows a period of intense pressure on the Federal Police, including a September decision by Supreme Court Justice André Mendonça to temporarily remove Rodrigues and intelligence director Leandro Almada. That judicial intervention stemmed from an internal report used to target Mendonça, highlighting the deep friction between the police and judiciary. ## Concerns Over Institutional Autonomy Transparency International Brazil has expressed grave concern regarding these developments, noting that the removals create a dangerous precedent. They argue that such actions hinder the progress of corruption investigations, particularly when those investigations involve high-ranking officials who appear to be shielded from standard legal scrutiny by the current administrative environment. ## Internal Dissent and Criticism The current administration faces criticism not only from the ADPF but also from within its own ranks. Observers within the Ministry of Justice suggest that Rodrigues may be losing control over the corporation. Previous reports from 2024 already highlighted concerns regarding his public comments on sensitive inquiries like the Abin parallel investigation. ## Future Implications for Police The ongoing rift raises fundamental questions about the structural integrity of the Federal Police. As the institution navigates these internal fractures, the focus remains on whether the current leadership can maintain its operational independence. The situation underscores a recurring struggle to balance administrative hierarchy with the necessary autonomy of police investigators. ## Sources covering this story - https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/poder/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2026/11/afastamento-de-delegados-aprofunda-racha-e-pf-enfrenta-rompimento-e-criticas.shtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._