The government promoted 1,752 police officers, effective 1 March, as reported in the Listin Diario on Friday. These promotions are equivalent to a raise for the police officers and agents at a time when the government authorized a mere 9% wage increase for public employees. Promotions were given to five colonels who will ascend to the rank of brigadier general, 19 lieutenant colonels who will become colonels, 46 majors to become lieutenant colonels and 69 captains who rise to the rank of major. In addition, 122 first lieutenants will be made captains, 163 second lieutenants will become first lieutenants, 240 sergeant majors to become lieutenants, 639 sergeants will be made sergeant majors, 297 corporals to sergeants and 162 unranked agents to corporals.
Diario Libre reported that the Police now have three women generals among their ranks. These are Deysi Liriano, Ramona Rodriguez and Maria Abreu. In all, there are 54 male generals on the National Police force.
The newspaper announced that police officers who have done service in Iraq would be promoted, too.
Likewise, it observed the gleeful atmosphere at President Hipolito Mejia’s home on Saturday when members of his security staff found out they were on the promotions list.