Dominican Republic Senate pushes comprehensive police reform

Senator Antonio Taveras urged a full refoundation of the Dominican Republic’s National Police, arguing that partial reforms cannot change a culture rooted in a decades‑old model. He proposed a specialized academy with two‑to‑four‑year training, merit‑based careers, higher salaries and independent oversight.

Other legislators echoed the need for deeper change, calling for stricter selection, continuous psychological and antidoping evaluations, better working conditions, and coordinated action with civil authorities. They criticised recent incidents of alleged extrajudicial killings and stressed that real transformation depends on professionalisation, not just legal text.

The Senate will debate a draft law that modernises the police framework, introduces new use‑of‑force protocols prioritising non‑lethal methods, and formalises the academy concept. While supporters view the bill as a step forward, critics warn that without sustained political will and resources the reforms risk remaining cosmetic.