Mexico City's police chief, Jesus Rodriguez Almeida,
has resigned after strong criticism of his handling of protests in the city.
A largely peaceful march on 20 November over the
disappearances of 43 students in Guerrero state ended with riot police
dispersing the crowd.
Mr Rodriquez gave no reason for his departure and
the city mayor said he had stepped down immediately.
Earlier this week President Pena Nieto announced new
justice and police plans.
After the 20 November protest, Mr Rodriquez Almeida
said he had "congratulated his personnel for their work," in
particular for "restoring public order, no matter whether others like it
or not".
Lawyers for 11 people who were arrested on the day
called for his resignation.
They said the protesters were arrested with no proof
of criminal action and arbitrarily taken to a high security prison.
They were freed a week later due to a lack of
evidence provoking accusations of abusive police practices.
Human rights groups also accused the police of
indiscriminate violence during the protest against activists, journalists and
bystanders.
Mr Rodriguez' departure comes after President
Enrique Pena Nieto's announcement of a series of proposals to reform Mexico's
security system.
Included in the plans is the replacing of local
municipal police forces, which are more vulnerable to corruption, with
state-level security officers.
Correspondents say Mr Rodriquez's resignation may
signal a reshuffling of top police chiefs going on behind the scenes as the
government attempts to plan out its new justice and policing framework for
Mexico.
The 20 November protest took place during months of
nationwide outrage and demonstrations against the abduction by police in the
Guerrero state city of Iguala of 43 students.
State prosecutors say the municipal police were
ordered by the local mayor to hand the students over to criminal gangs who
executed them.
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