National Police leadership changes hands in low-key ceremony

The change in leadership at the Dominican Republic's National Police occurred with notable brevity and a lack of fanfare. Modesto Cruz Cruz, the outgoing director, returned to the institution's headquarters not for a formal ceremony, but to depart, marking a quiet end to his tenure.

During the handover, presided over by the Minister of Interior and Police, Faride Raful, Cruz Cruz addressed the officers. He implored them to uphold their ethical and moral principles, cautioning against any perception that integrity or correct conduct could be seen as a weakness. "Never, never let anyone make you believe that acting correctly is a weakness or a mistake," he stated.

Cruz Cruz emphasized that maintaining convictions, even at personal or professional cost, defines true public service. He asserted that integrity requires character and that genuine dedication is demonstrated by doing the right thing, especially when unobserved. "Doing the right thing when no one is watching is precisely what defines a true public servant," he affirmed.

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Never, never let anyone make you believe that acting correctly is a weakness or a mistake.

In contrast to his own appointment on February 18, which was marked by honors and a formal ceremony, Cruz Cruz's departure was significantly understated. While his successor, Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García, had been sworn in by President Luis Abinader the previous day, the internal transfer of command was confined to the director's office. The institutional flag was passed from Cruz Cruz to Rodríguez García, symbolizing continuity and commitment to the nation.

Generals, colonels, and senior officers were present, but the atmosphere lacked the uncertainty often associated with leadership changes. The transition was swift, with agents seen removing the outgoing director's belongings and bringing in items for the new management, signaling a rapid shift in leadership.

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Doing the right thing when no one is watching is precisely what defines a true public servant.