Abinader reaffirms commitment to arresting criminals as police technology and patrols expand
Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader reaffirmed the Dominican government’s commitment to combating crime, saying authorities have the technology, personnel, and determination to arrest anyone who commits a criminal offense.
During a presentation on the Citizen Security Plan and police reform, Abinader said that around 80% of people who commit homicides already have multiple arrest warrants, and that authorities have been instructed to actively search for them before they can commit additional crimes.
The president also highlighted the impact of the recently adopted Penal Code, which increases penalties for several offenses and allows for the accumulation of sentences in certain cases.
More police and technology
National Police Director Major General Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García said improvements in working conditions and incentives have helped increase recruitment, while the police patrol model based on corridors and quadrants directs resources toward areas with higher crime and conflict rates.
Authorities announced that 20 new police departments will begin operations, starting in La Altagracia province. Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful said the percentage of police personnel assigned to street patrols has increased from 12% to 31%.
Abinader also highlighted new technological tools that allow authorities to track patrols and analyze crime patterns based on location, time, and day.
More than 3,500 officers are participating in a crime-scene protection plan, while 400 additional officers will join the Criminal Investigations Department (Dicrim).
Among the technological advances are an integrated fingerprint identification system, updated IBIS software for linking seized firearms, and biometric systems connected to immigration databases. Authorities reported that the identification and registration of firearms increased from 20% to 81%.
The Larco application, developed with Indotel to register detainees in real time, is already operating in Santiago, Naco, the Colonial City, and Los Mina, with plans for nationwide expansion.
Police now also have 10,000 body cameras for patrol and investigative units.
Abinader said interoperability with immigration authorities has also helped prevent the entry of about 20 foreigners with criminal records each week when they attempt to enter the country without a visa.
The government said police reform has also brought higher salaries for lower-ranking officers, improved health and life insurance, better equipment and technology, medication discounts, scholarships, and increased assistance for home purchases.
Abinader said citizen security remains a major concern for Dominican families and a priority for his administration, emphasizing coordination among prosecutors, the National Police, Armed Forces, DNCD, Migration, and other government agencies.
