Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico police to fight crime together

San Juan, Puerto Rico.- Dominican Republic’s and Puerto Rico’s Police departments agreed to develop specific plans against crime in both nations and implement joint training programs.

Puerto Rico Police superintendent Jose Caldero and Dominican National Police chief Manuel Castro made the announcement in a press conference after a day of meetings, in which the two countries designated committees to work on structuring the cooperation on public safety.

Among the agreements, the officials said, figure the exchange of information, intelligence and the development of strategic plans to tackle organized crime.

Castro said the agents will be trained to convert them from a "reactive" to a "proactive" Police force, using the knowledge acquired in the various national and international courses the departments sponsor for the men and women in uniform. "It’s our interest to academically teach and train our staff and strengthen the areas of criminal investigations and intelligence."