VZCZCXYZ0017
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDG #3398/01 3031926
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301926Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6551
INFO RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCOWCV/CUSTOMS CARIBBEAN ATTACHE MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEFHLC/HQS DHS WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 003398 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/LP KBROWN, WHA/CAR DSEARBY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCRM KJUS DR
SUBJECT: LAW ENFORCEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PERIODIC 
REPORT SEPT-OCT 2006 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  Embassy Santo Domingo Law Enforcement 
Development program has continued to make significant 
progress in assisting the Dominican National police's (DNP) 
transition to a professional civilian authority. Police 
reform initiatives launched within the last year are 
consistent with national security recommendations made to the 
Fernandez administration by independent consultants. 
Anticipated changes in senior police management could impact 
long-term police reform.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) A key goal of the Law Enforcement Development 
Program initiated and supported by the NAS in Santo Domingo 
is to support the development of a modern, efficient and well 
trained Dominican police organization that has an 
institutionalized commitment to professionalism and human 
rights.  Areas of needed reform include better training both 
for police and investigators, more focus on proactive 
prevention of crime rather than simply reacting when it 
occurs, improved criminal intelligence, more effective 
administrative and the development of a competent Internal 
Affairs investigations unit that would help insure 
organizational transparency.  These objectives are echoed in 
the national security plan submitted to the government last 
year by independent consultants Newlink Political. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The NAS Law Enforcement Development Program is well 
along in achieving stated objectives.  So far this calendar 
year, 1,824 police officers have completed training in a 
40-hour mobile criminal procedure course (Nivelacion de 
Policia Judicial) initiated and supported by the USG.  Senior 
government officials including President Fernandez, Police 
Chief Santana Paez and Secretary of Interior and Police 
Franklyn Almeyda have publicly praised the program. 
Prosecutors have also praised the course and requested that 
they be included in the program to enhance cooperation 
between police investigators and prosecutors. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Also 320 prosecutors have completed a 3-month 
training program - supported by USAID - that included 
interviewing techniques and basic criminal investigation 
taught through the Law Enforcement Development Program. This 
training also included the participation of a number of 
police investigators. In August, the National School of 
Public Ministry (ENMP) training coordinator requested Mission 
assistance for a follow-up course from September 25 - October 
3, 2006.  The follow-up course provided training for an 
additional 60 prosecutors and has now been expanded to 
include training of prosecutors in Santiago, the Dominican 
Republic,s second largest city.  In addition, USAID is 
working with the Public Ministry to help come to an agreement 
with the DNP regarding roles and jurisdiction of prosecutors 
and police under the new Criminal Procedures Code. 
 
¶5. (SBU) This month 32 officers completed a six-week course 
entitled Police Instructor Development and Police 
Intervention Course.  The course teaches officers the 
mechanics of instruction including conducting training needs 
assessments, developing lesson plans and management of 
training equipment.  The instructor development module is 
followed by a four week course on police intervention 
techniques including building searches, field interviews, 
handling of suspects and crime scene protection.  Officers 
who successfully complete the course will be responsible for 
instructing other officers from the DNP on the intervention 
techniques learned in the course. 
 
¶6. (SBU) In September, NAS provided funding for two officers 
from the Columbian National Police to assist the DNP with a 
Community Policing project in Barrios Seguros (Secure 
Neighborhoods).  The two officers are currently supervising 
the implementation of community based policing projects in 
these neighborhoods and have successfully encouraged 
community leaders, civilians and police to work together on 
the project.  So far 97 officers have been trained as 
community policing project officers and the project has begun 
implementation in four of 13 targeted barrios. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The community policing project has widespread 
support from within the government and from community 
leaders.  Police Chief Santana Paez stated in a speech in May 
that he believes community policing offers to be the single 
best solution to community problems related to crime, 
education, health and overall welfare of the country.  The 
Police Chief specifically thanked the USG for its support of 
this project. 
 
 
¶8. (SBU) During the last 8 months the Embassy has assisted 
the Police Internal Affairs (IA) division to restructure 
operations and to draft a new code of conduct, a new 
procedures protocol and a functions manual to enhance IA 
performance and accountability.  The draft measures have been 
approved by the Secretary of Interior and Police and are 
tabled for consideration by the National Security Commission 
before yearend. As a result of USG support, Internal Affairs 
is now providing the Mission with a monthly report on 
officers under investigation for corruption and other charges. 
 
¶9. (SBU) In October - for the first time ever - three 
Dominican human rights groups recognized National Police 
Chief Santana Paez for improving the DNP human rights record. 
 
¶10. (SBU) Comment: While there has been much progress on 
police reform over the last year, continued momentum for 
police reform remains fragile.  Observers speculate whether 
Police Chief Santana Baez continues to have the support of 
President Fernandez.  Embassy contacts told NAS officers that 
President Fernandez is unhappy with Santana,s operational 
management and his penchant for media attention.  Some 
observers are expecting Fernandez to replace the Police Chief 
next February with second in command Rafael Guzman Fermin or 
General Santiago Santiago. At this critical juncture, ongoing 
USG support will play a key role in encouraging the Dominican 
government to stay the course of reform.  We believe that USG 
support for existing reform projects has provided the Mission 
with durable contacts at all levels of the police and allowed 
the USG valuable input into police training and 
modernization. End Comment. 
HERTELL