A police reform bill seeks to overhaul the current legislative framework, introducing significant changes aimed at regulating the organization and operation of the National Police.
Included in the new bill on the reform of the National Police submitted to Congress on Monday, 8 December 2025, is a provision that would impede the assignment of police agents to government or private institutions.
The new rule, detailed in Article 147 of the proposed reform to Law 590-16 (National Police Organic Law), explicitly states that police personnel cannot be assigned to surveillance, custody, reception, or internal security roles in ministries, departments, agencies, autonomous entities, public enterprises, or any other official state dependencies.
“Each public institution shall be responsible for guaranteeing its own perimeter and internal security, through private services contracted in accordance with the current legal framework or through institutional personnel designated for that purpose,” the text mandates.
The bill allows for exceptions only when protecting officials or former officials who merit special security, or for essential assets directly linked to public or citizen security. These exceptions are subject to strict controls:
• A formal and motivated declaration of risk must exist.
• Express authorization from the Ministry of Interior and Police is required.
• The terms, duration, conditions, and scope of the service must be fixed in writing.
• The service will be subject to periodic evaluation and immediate withdrawal once the motivating factors cease.
The reform also tackles another long-standing practice. Article 145 clarifies that National Police members may not be permanently or regularly assigned to private individuals, companies, corporations, foundations, or for-profit establishments, “except in cases expressly authorized by law.”
Companies that receive the authorized police agent services must cover the total cost, and all agreements must be published annually. This provision is expected to eliminate the historic practice of “loaned” police officers to banks, shopping centers, and VIPs.
Beyond assignment restrictions, the reform bill introduces several measures focused on enhancing professionalism and regulating police conduct:
• National Center for Police Profession Standards: The law establishes a new, decentralized body under the Ministry of Interior and Police. This center will be responsible for validating competencies, evaluating skills, certifying professional suitability, and mandating compulsory courses, setting the minimum professional standards for police service.
• Professional career: The profession is restricted solely to active-duty career police personnel.
• Regulation of force: The use of force must adhere to principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, reasonableness, precaution, responsibility, and accountability. Any use of force causing harm to third parties requires a written report to both the hierarchical superior and the Public Ministry.
• Police rights and benefits: Officers using legal and proportional force are guaranteed several rights, including:
o Legal advice and defense paid for by the institution.
o Psychological orientation and follow-up.
o Medical treatment and assistance.
o The right to disobey manifestly illegal orders.
o A legal defense fund composed of 30% of disciplinary fine collections.
The bill also introduces additional compensation for agents based on command, direction, supervision, seniority, territorial condition, and patrolling duties.
Read more in Spanish:
El Caribe
Diario Libre
10 December 2025