Minister of Interior fires policemen involved in the death of spouses in Villa Altagracia
The Minister of the Interior and Police, Jesús Vásquez Martínez, in his duties also as president of the Superior Police Council, ordered the cancellation of the six agents who participated in the death of the evangelical spouses in Villa Altagracia and that they are subjected to the action of the justice through the Public Ministry, complying with the due process of law.
Through an official letter addressed to Major General Edward Sánchez González, director general of the National Police, the minister ordered the immediate firing and due submission to justice of Second Lieutenant Victorino Reyes Navarro, Sergeant Domingo Perdomo Reyes, Corporals Norkys Rodríguez Jiménez and Ángel de los Santos, as well as privates Anthony Castro Pérez and Juan Manuel Ogando Solís, involved in the shooting deaths of husbands Elizabeth Muñoz and Joel Díaz.
As well as the suspension and replacement of Colonel César Maríñez Lora, in accordance with the procedures of the Organic Law of the National Police.
“We have complied with the mandate of the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, after the heartbreaking events that occurred where two people died, in the municipality of Villa Altagracia, and we are sending a clear message to Dominican society that in this management of The government will not allow excesses on the part of the police and that these deplorable events will not go unpunished,”, said Vásquez Martínez.
He highlighted that the tragedy hits the feelings of society the hardest as the shot couple were role models in their community and dedicated to good principles and values.
The Minister of the Interior and Police reported on the creation of an external commission to the National Police to carry out a true and effective audit at all levels of the human resources of the National Police, tending to separate from the ranks of this institution from order, all personnel who do not comply with the ethical and moral profile and adequate training, which guarantees compliance with the protocols for approaching the citizen and the appropriate use of force, complying with due process of law and respecting the human rights of all.
The decision is within the framework of the Comprehensive Citizen Security Strategy “MY SAFE COUNTRY”, which contemplates a profound police reform, including the review of the profiles of the members of the uniformed police.
“In the institution of order, it is not admissible to keep as members people with complaints or disciplinary sanctions for serious misconduct in the exercise of their functions that are verified and supported by evidence”, said Vásquez Martínez categorically. The members of the said committee will be announced next Monday.
In addition, the official summoned all the regional, central and area directors of the uniformed, to an important meeting for next Tuesday 6 of this month, at eight in the morning, at the facilities of the National Police Palace, where Topics related to the institution’s work agenda will be discussed.