Objective.

To evaluate the rights and wrongs of the rural security service in the Department of Santander, Colombia.

Methodology.

Qualitative paradigm, privileging a participatory approach with action research design through three focus groups distributed as follows: a) civil society involved; b) actors of territorial entities related to security; and c) active police officers involved with mounted police, with responsibility for rural security in each province of Santander.

Results.

It was identified that this specialization of the police service should enhance, in its professionalization process, the training of police officers with a vocation towards rurality, productive community work and emphasis on conflict resolution skills.

Conclusion.

The number of uniformed police officers dedicated to this activity in this region of the country is insufficient and they are usually employed in tasks that are not associated with their profile.

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