Minister of the Interior and the Police, Jose Ramon Fadul, has told the National Police and the administration that the announced National Police Reform will be based on two platforms: one is the legal status and one is in fact. The first will be sent to the National Congress for legislative approval. The second is already under way and is geared at crime prevention and investigation. Fadul revealed that 12,000 recruits would be joining the force during the Medina administration.
Interviewed during the Listin Diario Breakfast event, Fadul outlined the Comprehensive Public Safety Plan, consisting of seven programs: A Public Safety Watch, National Weapons System, Peaceful Living (formerly Safe Barrios), Local Groups on Violence and Gender issues, Control of Alcoholic Beverages, Police Reform, 911 Emergency System and Control of Motorcycles. Fadul mentioned the current situation of the National Police with its “islands of power” (enclaves), and said he hoped to create a central command and control for the force. The Comprehensive Security Plan announced by the government last month was met with criticism in the media.
In a commentary in Listin Diario, Oscar Medina writes that the plan is more of the same that has been announced before but not been successfully implementedn mixed patrols, surveillance cameras, controls for motorcycle drivers, more police on the streets, agents removed from private service, more equipment for the Police, etc. He said the country is still waiting for the government to say how it is going to transform the Police to make it an institution with the capacity for preventing crime.
In the 2012-2013 World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report, the DR ranked 143rd of 144 countries in the world in reliability of police services.
www.listin.com.do/puntos-de-vista/2013/4/1/271448/Cual-es-el-plan
www.listin.com.do/la-republica/2013/3/31/271419/Reforma-pondra-fin-a-las-islas-de-poder-en-Policia-Nacional
www.listin.com.do/la-republica/2013/3/31/271419/Reforma-pondra-fin-a-las-islas-de-poder-dentro-de-la-Policia