In a first reading yesterday, Thursday 22 October 2015, the Senate approved a draft organic bill with amendments for the Police to limit the higher ranks in the Police to 20 generals.
Senator Julio Cesar Valentin, one of the underwriters of the bill, said it seeks to restore the credibility of the Police.
He said that if approved, the new legislation would give the President of the Republic 24 months to make adjustments to the number of active generals and colonels in the police.
It also establishes that police agents cannot be at the service of private individuals, unless they are deemed to be in serious danger.
The bill also establishes a two-year term for the head of the Police who would be known as director general, and not “chief” as at present. The head of the Police would automatically retire at the end of the term.
According to a report in Diario Libre, this means that at least 29 generals would have to go. It says that as of July 2015 the National Police payroll consisted of 45 generals, three active major generals, plus the chief of Police who is also a major general.
Read more in Spanish:
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/retirarian-29-generales-en-24-meses-y-otros-puntos-de-controversia-en-la-ley-organica-de-la-policia-nacional-KI1648286
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2015/10/22/393215/senado-aprueba-en-primera-lectura-ley-organica-de-policia-nacional