New law brings sweeping changes to Dominican Police

Santo Domingo.- As expected and despite 11th-hourcritique, president Danilo Medina on Friday signed the National Police StatutoryLaw on Friday, after the Chamber of Deputies had approved the bill in twoconsecutive roll calls on June 29.

As recent as Friday morning several sectors had asked thepresident to veto the piece which among the provisions figure a cap on the numberof Police generals to 20.

It also stipulates automatic retirement once a general reaches10 years in the rank.

It also establishes that the National Police will be headedby a General Director, a post that will be held for a maximum of two year, a provision that effectively dismantles its military structure conceived by thedictator Rafael Trujillo in the 1930s.