# Legislators protest police incident and rising interventions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-deputy-police-incident > Updated: 2026-10-16T02:24:52.000Z. Sources: 47. Developments: 3. The political crisis in the Dominican Republic following the handcuffing of Deputy Millys Martínez has escalated into a broader legislative challenge against police conduct and lethal force. Following the incident in Comendador, where Martínez was detained while attempting to intervene in an arrest, a walkout by Chamber of Deputies members forced the suspension of legislative proceedings due to a lack of quorum. While the National Police have denied that a formal arrest occurred, new video footage has surfaced that some commentators suggest shows the deputy handling the handcuffs herself. Despite this, National Police Director Major General Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García and Deputy Martínez met to resolve the dispute, with both parties agreeing to consider the incident ‘superado’ (resolved) and reaffirming a commitment to institutional cooperation. The meeting was facilitated by the ruling PRM party bloc to prevent institutional damage. Although the conflict between the two leaders has been declared settled, the National Police maintained that an investigation into the conduct of the officers involved remains ongoing, stating that any agents found to have committed excesses will face legal and institutional sanctions. General Martín Tapia Sánchez has been tasked with leading these inquiries to determine if any officers committed abuses of authority. The incident has also catalyzed a Senate inquiry into police violence. Senator Antonio Taveras has introduced a resolution to summon both Minister Raful and National Police Director Ernesto Rodríguez García to explain protocols regarding the use of lethal force. This move follows reports that deaths resulting from police interventions, often referred to by authorities as ‘exchanges of gunfire’, accounted for 23% of the 625 recorded homicides during the first half of 2026. The Senate has referred the resolution to a commission for a two-week study. ## Claims - The deputy reported being handcuffed by National Police officers in Comendador, Elías Piña, during a festive activity. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The Senate approved a resolution to invite the Minister of Interior and Police and the Director of the National Police to explain police-related deaths. (corroborated by 9 sources) - In the first half of 2026, deaths classified as legal police interventions accounted for 23% of the 625 homicides recorded. (corroborated by 5 sources) - In 2025, 215 deaths were classified as 'legal intervention' by law enforcement agents. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The National Police denied that the deputy was formally arrested. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The National Police Director and Deputy Millys Martínez agreed to cooperate following their incident. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Deputy Millys Martínez accused the Minister of Interior and Police, Faride Raful, of remaining silent regarding an incident involving police misconduct. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Yván Lorenzo accused the government of acting irresponsibly regarding the incident involving Deputy Millys Martínez. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The session of the Chamber of Deputies was suspended after most legislators walked out in protest. (single source) - Only 23 out of 190 deputies remained present during the session. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-16: Dominican Republic Police Director and Deputy Resolve Conflict Police Director Ernesto Rodríguez García and Deputy Millys Martínez have agreed to resolve their dispute following an incident in Elías Piña where the legislator was handcuffed by officers. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-director-and-deputy-martnez-resolve-elas-pia-incident ### 2026-10-14: Dominican Republic: Police and Deputy Martínez reach agreement after Elías Piña incident Dominican Deputy Millys Martínez and the National Police have agreed to cooperate following a controversial incident in Elías Piña involving handcuffs, amid Senate calls to investigate police use of force. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/deputy-millys-martnez-denounces-police-abuse-in-dominican-republic ### 2026-10-12: Millys Martínez handcuffed by police in Elías Piña Dominican Deputy Millys Martínez was handcuffed by police in Elías Piña while intervening in an arrest, sparking a constitutional debate and a walkout in the Chamber of Deputies. 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-deputy-millys-martnez-detained-during-police-incident --- Cite as: Legislators protest police incident and rising interventions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-deputy-police-incident