Amazing observations and analysis! You taught us something! Your observation that "there are three great things that make Mexico's law and policing systems so rotten, imo -- rotten in our eyes, that is" namely idolatry, "the massive mess of the Spanish Codex they inherited," and "the lack of respect for the laws of agency and contracts by agents" is very interesting and makes sense. (I did not know about the Spanish Codex in particular.) Thanks!
Many years ago I had a friend -- actually my Dad's friend -- who was a cleric. He was a theoretical linguist, and also a street-wise ex-golden-glove boxer. He traveled in Mexico without collar. One day he was at a cantina, and a number of federales came in. They grabbed a priest and took him out and shot him dead.
Why? Don't know. But life went on almost unchanged -- that was the Brother's report.
I think Mexico City's a wonderful place. I'm pretty sure that in parts of it -- and in parts of the neighnoring estatados as well the policing can be improved. Anyplace with money has plenty of private -- and very well armed --police already. That means there is economic incentive for successful public policing if it means less private police.
However, in Mexico, people make decisions slowly, and consider --- must consider -- long term risks. Here in the north, wealth can be regained quickly, a few years. In Mexico it takes generations. Sure Rudi and crew could make things better for a few years, but long term?