After determining that the local police were unable to curb crime during a Carnival celebration that was marred by violence, which included the killing of three police officers and multiple reports of tourists being robbed by gunmen, the Rio de Janeiro state government, on Feb. 16, requested that the Brazilian army oversee the police force and all security actions in the state until further notice. The Brazilian government approved the request on Feb. 20, sending more than 3,000 troops into the city.