Dominican Minister Faride Raful Announces Deepest Police Reform in 90 Years

Dominican Interior Minister Faride Raful said the ongoing reform of the National Police is the most profound transformation in the institution’s 90‑year history. The reform has increased the police force from 34,000 to 46,200 officers and raised patrol coverage from 12 % to 31 %. A new Service and Patrol model, now being expanded to 20 districts, has already cut robberies in pilot zones by 35 %.

Key components include a two‑year professional training programme, the deployment of 8,000 body‑worn cameras, and a zero‑tolerance policy for police abuse, with all irregular cases forwarded to the Public Ministry. Raful noted that homicide rates have fallen to the lowest recorded in Dominican history, the lowest in the Caribbean and among the lowest in Latin America. She also highlighted the creation of community security tables and a draft law on civic coexistence aimed at preventing conflicts. While some sectors criticize the reform, Raful urged continued support to solidify a more professional, transparent and citizen‑focused police force.