This policy paper reviews policing strategies to confront organized crime in Latin America. Synthesizing comparative evidence, it finds that militarized crackdowns and leadership targeting often produce short-lived gains or exacerbate violence, while targeted and intelligence-led approaches show greater promise, particularly when paired with institutional reform. The paper calls for shifting from traditional output metrics such as arrests or drug seizures toward measures that prioritize harm reduction, constraints on criminal governance, and public trust. It concludes with policy recommendations centered on accountability, coordination, and democratic oversight.