Felix Marquez / AP

Municipal policemen leave a police station after the entire police force was disbanded in the Gulf port city of Veracruz, Mexico, Wednesday Dec. 21, 2011.

AP reports:

The Veracruz state government said the decision is part of an effort to root out police corruption and start from zero in the state's largest city.

State spokeswoman Gina Dominguez said 800 police officers and 300 administrative employees were laid off. At a press conference, she said they can apply for jobs in a state police force, but must meet stricter standards for an agency with officers "who are better trained and more committed and who can deliver under our current security circumstances."

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