Dominican Republic police reform faces infrastructure challenges

The Dominican Republic's ongoing police reform efforts are facing scrutiny regarding institutional infrastructure. A technical survey by the Center for Security and Defense Studies (CESEDE) reveals that approximately 86.2% of the country's 724 police stations have not undergone remodeling. This finding highlights a gap between the government's reported progress in training and personnel and the physical conditions of the facilities where officers and citizens interact.

In a separate development, the Director General of the National Police, Major General Ernesto Rodríguez García, conducted a working visit to the Western Regional Directorate in San Juan de la Maguana. The visit aimed to strengthen preventive strategies, operational leadership, and community coordination. During the visit, regional officials presented results regarding public safety and discussed challenges in maintaining order. The initiative emphasized the importance of community proximity and cooperation between the police, academic institutions like the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), and social organizations.