President Luis Abinader dedicated his Monday, 14 October 2024 press conference to explain the advances coming for the Police. He said the transformation project that is costing around RD$52 billion will conclude in 2028. The transformation seeks to modernize the police force. The programs contemplate a new career system, standardized salaries, enhanced training and increased accountability.
The 20,000 new police officers (4,000 per year) will be in the force by 2028. They are being provided with the support of technological upgrades. The government is investing in state-of-the-art technology, such as drones, mobile crime labs, and advanced surveillance systems, to improve law enforcement capabilities.
New uniforms will feature body-worn cameras. The officers will be connected to advanced communications systems for improved coordination among law enforcement agencies. Moreover, the officers are being fitted with equipment for the handling of various types of crimes, such as domestic violence and drug trafficking.
The police force is leveraging technology to improve crime-fighting capabilities, including real-time crime analytics to identify and respond to emerging threats. Devices will also enable facial recognition to aid in the identification of suspects and missing persons. Other technological advances include license plate recognition to assist in the tracking of stolen vehicles and identifying individuals involved in criminal activity.
Moreover, major infrastructure improvements are also underway. These include new police stations and training facilities that are being built nationwide to provide the officers with better working conditions and resources.
Furthermore, the government is stressing the importance of community engagement and respect of human rights in the training. Efforts are underway to strengthen ties between the police and the community through increased dialogue and transparency.
16 October 2024