The Chamber of Deputies on 29 June 2016, passed a bill that calls for major changes within the National Police. The bill was in response to an alarming increase in crime. Citizens participating in electoral day polls cited the high crime rate as the number one problem affecting the country. The bill had already passed in the Senate and now moves to the President’s desk for signing and publishing to become law.
The spokesman for the deputies of the ruling PLD, Elpidio Baez, said the project calls for the implementation of improved police investigative capacity and community outreach services. It also contemplates a reduction of the number of generals, setting a maximum of 20 generals. It establishes a maximum active duty of 10 years for generals.
The chief of the Police will now be known as the director general and will remain in the post for two years and then automatically be placed into retirement. The bill gives President Danilo Medina two years to make the adjustments in the number of active generals and colonels in the Police Department.
The bill also calls for a strengthening of the internal affairs division of the Police to better monitor the performance and behavior of police officers to discourage abuse and the use of excessive force.
It also prohibits a generalized practice of police doing double duty with private individuals and companies.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2016/06/29/425012/diputados-convirtio-en-ley-el-proyecto-de-reforma-policial
Diputados convierten en ley proyecto que reforma a la Policía Nacional
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/politica/diputados-aprueban-proyecto-de-reforma-policial-DI4183665
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/politica/ley-de-policia-aprobada-por-diputados-reduce-a-20-el-numero-de-generales-AY4188435
