Dominican Republic Press Group demands investigation into police misconduct

The Press and Hispanic Community Directorate (PreCoHis) has requested that the Director of the National Police, Major General Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García, investigate allegations of misconduct involving a police officer and a journalist.

Journalist Javis Alexander Feliz Rodríguez filed a formal complaint with the Santo Domingo Este Prosecutor's Office following an incident in Los Guaricanos, Santo Domingo Norte. Feliz Rodríguez alleges that Second Lieutenant Alexis Torres carried out an irregular detention, physical aggression, and theft.

The journalist claims that while he was repairing a tire, officers arrived and ordered him to be handcuffed. He alleges that during the encounter, he was slapped and accused of robbery. Furthermore, Feliz Rodríguez reported the theft of a gold ring and 10,000 Dominican pesos, as well as damage to his mobile phone and vehicle. He noted that officers found a blank-firing pistol, for which he maintains he has permission to possess.