Dominican President Luis Abinader confirmed in Santo Domingo that his government will not stop its police reform process despite a recent leadership change.
Abinader stressed that he will not pull back pressure on one of the principal transformations driven by his administration. Speaking at the handover of a new facility for the Higher Police Education Institute, known as IPES, the president affirmed his commitment to overseeing law enforcement performance.
The Dominican Republic, a Caribbean nation occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, has engaged in wide-ranging institutional reforms under Abinader. The National Police operates as the primary domestic law enforcement agency in the country, responsible for maintaining public safety across its 31 provinces and national district.
Recalling a phrase from the start of the initiative, Abinader said he neither grows tired nor do others tire him out. He acknowledged that institutional overhauls require years to complete, but insisted that work cannot pause for a single day. Transforming the police force was never expected to be easy, he noted, adding that his administration recognized from the beginning that the project would remain a major challenge.
Supervision of safety statistics
Abinader announced that he will maintain direct personal supervision of the police force by attending weekly citizen security meetings every Monday. These regular sessions allow government officials to evaluate crime statistics and pinpoint administrative and operational areas requiring improvement.
Addressing the new National Police director, Major General Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García, Abinader confirmed that both he and the general would attend the upcoming Monday session. The chief executive stated that the government will continue tracking law enforcement performance as it has over recent years.
Regarding performance metrics, Abinader explained that while specific statistics reflect progress, the administration remains unsatisfied. He emphasized that as long as a single homicide occurs in the Dominican Republic, the situation remains unacceptable to his government.
Weekly security monitoring has served as a central instrument for crime policy in Santo Domingo. As the capital and economic hub of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo houses the central headquarters of the National Police and executive government ministries.
Facilities at the new education center
The new building for the Higher Police Education Institute required an investment exceeding 358 million Dominican pesos. Constructed on a plot covering nearly 4,500 square meters, the three-level facility was designed to expand and modernize instruction for police officers as part of the broader reform program.
The three-story complex integrates classrooms, a library, an auditorium, laboratories, a faculty lounge, and a virtual shooting range for tactical training. It also contains administrative offices, a conference room, an infirmary, records archives, service areas, an electrical room, restrooms, and an elevator.
Minister of Housing Jean Luis Rodríguez emphasized that the initiative extends beyond constructing physical infrastructure. Rodríguez stated that the investment of more than 358 million pesos aims to supply recruits with improved tools and technology, stressing that human development lies at the core of the project.
The Higher Police Education Institute functions as the academic body charged with technical and professional training for members of the Dominican police. The Ministry of Housing and Buildings handles public construction and state infrastructure developments across the Dominican Republic.
Government officials in attendance
The ceremony brought together top cabinet members and security chiefs alongside President Abinader. Attendees included National Police Director Major General Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García, Minister of Interior and Police Faride Raful, and Minister of Defense Carlos Antonio Onofre, along with other public officials.
The Ministry of Interior and Police manages internal security policy and civil oversight of the police force, while the Ministry of Defense commands the armed forces of the Dominican Republic. Joint participation by these ministries highlights the coordinated state backing for the ongoing police transformation.
