Leonel Fernández calls for expanded debate on police reform

Former Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández has called for a broader societal debate regarding the proposed Organic Law of the National Police. Speaking at a forum organized by the Center for Security and Defense Studies (Cesede), Fernández emphasized that there is still time to review and correct aspects of the project identified by specialists.

Experts participating in the discussion raised several concerns regarding the legislative initiative. Jurist Vanahí Bello Dotel identified 33 technical legislative defects, including contradictions and regulatory excesses, while former Supreme Court judge José Alberto Cruceta Almánzar noted issues regarding due process and disciplinary regimes.

There is also a debate regarding the functional role of the police. Former prosecutor José Manuel Hernández Peguero suggested a model where a specialized technical unit handles investigations under the Public Ministry, while the police focus on prevention and patrolling. Conversely, former police chiefs Bernardo Santana Páez and Rafael Guillermo Guzmán Fermín defended the institution's investigative powers and questioned the proposed command structure.