Police Chief Major General Pedro de Jesus Candelier said that the government expects to start soon a project to structurally reform the National Police. The project, "Modernización, Reforma y Efectividad de la Policía Nacional" requires a RD$150 million investment on behalf of the state. The project seeks to turn the Police into a modern and professional law and order force. The reduction of a recent crime surge is seen as a national priority. The project would include major structure reforms and the Police would operate with modern technology to fight crime. It also contemplates a purge of the force. Attorney General Mariano German Mejia yesterday urged the Police and the Armed Forces to exercise more control over recruits and to purge known undesirables from the ranks. He said that the Armed Forces and the National Police have within their ranks persons of questionable conduct that abuse their uniforms, arms and identification cards, committing delinquent acts.
