The police reform bill now before the Chamber of Deputies proposes some controversial changes that are being strongly opposed by the police, as reported in El Caribe news. The two changes the police object to most are the proposed elimination of ranks within the force and the end to police tribunals, according to the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Rafaela Alburquerque. The bill also proposes that a civilian could become police chief and it would change all the functions and names of police ranks. The President of the Chamber?s Justice Commission, Julio C?sar Valent?n, says police courts are unconstitutional and are an insult to the dignity of police officers themselves. He says allowing them to continue would defy the constitution which says the Supreme Court controls all courts. Police tribunals are currently under the control of the police department. Valent?n says, ?It is unconstitutional that a police tribunal can impede the process of habeas corpus in order to protect one of their own officers who is accused of breaking the law.?
