Haiti Government to Reinforce National Police

Port-au-Prince, Jan 4 (Prensa Latina) The Haitian government wants to reinforce the national police and increase its number to 12,000 officers as a previous step to the reestablishment of the Army, said National Police Chief Mario Andresol.

 Andresol also announced the intention of building five police stations and new detachments to reinforce security and fight urban violence in Haiti. Now, the Haitian National Police has 10,000 members, although the security work is carried out by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah)

The project coincided with the announcement made by Haitian President Michel Martelly to reestablish the Army, dissolved in 1994 for committing human rights violations.

 The measure, considered a necessary step by some and a danger for the nationâ�Ös stability by others, received a "coup de grace" last Sunday when President Martelly announced the results of an investigation by a special commission that had studied the feasibility of creating the Haitian Navy since November 2011.

 Local press media and senators have either supported or condemned this measure, but there is no consensus on the impact for the country's current situation.

 The Haitian Armed Forces were formed by 8,000 men and were dissolved 17 years ago by former President Jean Bertrand Aristide because they were the organizers of several coups in the nation.

 jg/tac/lio

 Modificado el ( miércoles, 04 de enero de 2012 )