Dominican Republic Senate approves police reform law

The Senate of the Dominican Republic approved a comprehensive reform of the National Police Law in a first reading and later in a second reading, sending the bill to the Chamber of Deputies for further consideration. The legislation restructures the police into three tiers – directiva, intermedia and agente patrullero – and introduces a merit‑based promotion system that bars advancement for officers with disciplinary sanctions or serious convictions.

Key provisions include graduated salary deductions ranging from five to 60 days for minor and serious offenses, suspension without pay for up to 120 days for very serious violations, and immediate dismissal for the gravest infractions. The reform mandates body‑camera use during all interventions, requires that any citizen may record the procedure, and tightens search protocols, prohibiting invasive bodily exams and mandating the use of non‑lethal detection tools.

Additional measures create a dedicated police pension plan, classify weapons into less‑lethal categories with strict usage rules, and obligate mandatory training courses for certain promotions through the Instituto Policial de Educación Superior. The changes are presented as a response to public outcry after the killing of 19‑year‑old Darlin Enmanuel Mercado by a police officer, which sparked protests and calls for greater accountability. President Luis Abinader and Interior Minister Faride Raful have condemned the incident as an unacceptable abuse, emphasizing the need for professionalization and respect for human rights.