Abinader vows to continue Dominican Republic's police reform

President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic has firmly stated his unwavering commitment to the national police reform, declaring that neither he nor the process will falter. Speaking at the inauguration of the new building for the Instituto Policial de Educación Superior (IPES), Abinader reiterated his dedication to transforming the institution, a key initiative of his administration.

"Neither I tire nor does it tire me," Abinader emphasized, recalling his initial declaration when the reform began. He acknowledged that institutional changes are inherently challenging and time-consuming, but insisted that progress must be continuous. "No one ever said that the transformation project of the reform was easy. We knew from the beginning that it was difficult and it will continue to be a great challenge. Reforms take years, but what we cannot do is rest for a single day so that it keeps working and can continue improving," he stated.

The president assured that he would maintain direct oversight of the police force, continuing his weekly attendance at citizen security meetings to evaluate statistics and identify areas needing improvement. He addressed the new National Police Director, Major General Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García, stating, "General Rodríguez, next Monday we will be there again, following up as we have done in recent years."

Abinader recognized that while statistics show progress, they are insufficient as long as violent incidents persist. "There are many statistics for which we can be pleased in terms of progress, never satisfied, because for us, as long as there is even one homicide in the Dominican Republic, it is too much," he asserted. The new IPES building, an investment exceeding RD$358 million, aims to enhance the training and capabilities of police officers through modern facilities, including classrooms, a library, an auditorium, laboratories, and a virtual shooting range.

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Ni me canso ni me cansa.