The police are in the race to reform. RAUL ASENCIO/
Santo Domingo, DR
There were long looks and happy expressions on the faces of the officers walking around the National Police Palace during the second day of the administration of Major General Eduardo Alberto-Then at the head of the police force.
Inside the institution, the movement of new officers and advisors who have been with the newly appointed director in the regional endowments where he has been in charge is noticeable, in addition to the constant presence of high-ranking officers, as if it were a roll call.
“I have already seen several of the people who were with him in Barahona and in Santiago and they are already taking up their posts; up there (in the director’s office) there are many people picking up,” said one officer to another in the corridors of the Police Palace.
While the first 48 hours of Then’s administration are taking place, the expectation of what the internal changes and movements will be is still present in the atmosphere within the police force, while the logistical changes within the headquarters are beginning to manifest themselves.
“There are already problems with the parking lots, many people arrived today and found that in the parking lot they were assigned there were already other people; many only had to take their vehicles and park them outside, they had not even been warned,” said another member of the law enforcement corps.
The few official changes
In expectation of more changes, only two moves have been made officially; the appointment of Diego Pesqueira to the Strategic Communications Directorate and Pedro Cordero Ubri to the Legal Affairs Directorate.
Pesqueira took over last Monday, replacing Ana Jimenez Cruceta, who had become the first woman to head the strategic communications of the National Police.
That same day, Colonel Cordero Ubri, a lawyer, as director of Legal Affairs was notified internally, replacing Colonel Esteban Figuereo García.
Spokesman calls for specifying the date in videos.
The newly appointed law enforcement spokesman issued a statement calling on social network users to specify the dates of videos about incidents or cases involving police officers.
“We ask users of this platform and other social networks that before uploading a video about cases involving police officers, they should specify the date on which the event occurred. In case they do not have the information, they can consult us,” Pesqueira added on his social network.
Director outlines strategies
Eduardo Alberto-Then, yesterday, held his first meeting with the high command of that institution, to whom he transmitted the guidelines to be implemented, based on transparency, discipline, ethical principles, respect for human rights, and practical preventive work.
“There will be no police compromised with private individuals, but they will respond to their mission, which is to protect lives, the physical integrity of the person and private property,” added Alberto-Then through a press release.
The Police Director also warned that he would be vigilant to ensure that these guidelines are fully complied with, for which reason he will be permanently carrying out supervisory tasks.