Dominican Republic appoints Ernesto Rodríguez García as National Police Director

Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has appointed Major General Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García as the new Director General of the National Police. The appointment, formalized via Decree 558-26, includes Rodríguez García's promotion to the rank of Major General. He succeeds Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz, who has been placed in an honorable retirement status after serving approximately six months in the role.

Rodríguez García previously served as the Inspector General of the National Police. His new leadership comes during an ongoing government-led process of institutional reform and transformation aimed at improving citizen security and professionalizing the force. The transition of power was overseen by Minister of Interior and Police Faride Raful.

The brief tenure of the outgoing director, Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz, has drawn scrutiny. Analysts and citizens have noted that his six-month term was significantly shorter than the two-year period typically contemplated by organic law. Public sentiment remains mixed, with some citizens expressing skepticism regarding whether leadership changes alone will effectively reduce crime rates without deeper structural reforms.