Story highlights Rio police have been protesting after delays in receiving overtime pay

The Olympic Games have been beset by problems in the lead-up to the start in August

Rio de Janeiro (CNN) A month before Rio welcomes thousands of visitors for the 2016 Olympic Games, the city's mayor has lashed out at state officials over the policing of violent crime.

"This is the most serious issue in Rio and the state is doing a terrible, horrible job," Eduardo Paes told CNN, during an interview in his downtown office.

"It's completely failing at its work of policing and taking care of people."

His comments come after Rio de Janeiro state, which manages the region's military police force, issued an executive order requesting emergency funds from the federal government in order to pay outstanding bonuses and overtime to police officers.

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The 2.9 billion-real bailout (roughly $850 million) was made available last week, after acting governor Francisco Dornelles said Games could be a "big failure" without the funds . It's believed that the back pay will be distributed this week.