NewsWhore
08-21-2007, 04:40 PM
Police Chief Bernardo Santana Paez, who served in the post for two years, was appointed police affairs advisor to the President. In his place, Major General Rafael Guillermo Guzman Fermin was appointed to replace the many times softly-spoken Santana. Diario Libre reports in his first comments after his appointments, Guzman says he is making a 90-degree turn in his policy on crime in the DR. He stated he does not need more resources, just the cooperation of Dominican society.
Guzman's appointment, which has been welcomed by some Dominicans who would like to see a tougher approach, is being described as a retrograde step by some human rights groups. The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) said that Guzman's promotion to the post was a joke because the new chief has pending cases in San Francisco de Macoris. Interestingly, President Fernandez appointed Human Rights High Commissioner Porfirio Rojas Nina as his advisor on human rights.
Guzman, nicknamed "The Surgeon", is known for his tough stance on crime, maybe too tough, and the CNDH says that his appointment will take his predecessors' work a step backwards. Guzman is accused of having shot suspected criminals in the knees and in the back, leaving them in wheelchairs. Both Santana and former Police Chief Manuel de Jesus Perez Sanchez were considered to be very respectful of human rights and Santana was awarded the Order of Merit for his work.
The President made several other appointments in the Police force.
Major General Jose Sigfredo Fernandez Fadul, who was in charge of the Police's Metropolitan Transport Authority (AMET), is appointed deputy chief of Police. The new AMET director is Brigade General Latif Miguel Mahfoud. President Fernandez appointed Colonel Manuel Geraldo Rodriguez, as chief of the Tourism Police (Politur), replacing Colonel Pablo Lugo Adames. Former Police chief Major General Manuel de Jesus Perez Sanchez, who was police advisor to the President, was appointed coordinator of the Executive Secretariat for the Commission for the Reform and Modernization of the Police. Brigade General Ramon Francisco Rodriguez Sanchez was appointed Police information director. General Rafael Calderon Efres was named regional director for the Northeast, based in San Francisco de Macoris, replacing Brigade General Osiris Alcantara Rodriguez. Brigade General Rinel Rafael Lozada was appointed regional director in the East, based in La Romana, replacing Brigade General Luis de la Cruz Consuegra. Brigade General Hilario Gonzalez Gonzalez was appointed director of the south central region. Brigade General Jose Almonte Sanchez was appointed inspector general.
Vice Admiral Julio Cesar Ventura Bayonet, Chief of the Navy, replacing Vice Admiral Ivan Pena Castillo. In the military, Brigade General Felipe Henriquez Molina was named to command the Third Brigade, Brigade General Joaquin Felix Perez to the Fourth Brigade, and General Jose Lopez Lajara to the Sixth.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#4)
Guzman's appointment, which has been welcomed by some Dominicans who would like to see a tougher approach, is being described as a retrograde step by some human rights groups. The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) said that Guzman's promotion to the post was a joke because the new chief has pending cases in San Francisco de Macoris. Interestingly, President Fernandez appointed Human Rights High Commissioner Porfirio Rojas Nina as his advisor on human rights.
Guzman, nicknamed "The Surgeon", is known for his tough stance on crime, maybe too tough, and the CNDH says that his appointment will take his predecessors' work a step backwards. Guzman is accused of having shot suspected criminals in the knees and in the back, leaving them in wheelchairs. Both Santana and former Police Chief Manuel de Jesus Perez Sanchez were considered to be very respectful of human rights and Santana was awarded the Order of Merit for his work.
The President made several other appointments in the Police force.
Major General Jose Sigfredo Fernandez Fadul, who was in charge of the Police's Metropolitan Transport Authority (AMET), is appointed deputy chief of Police. The new AMET director is Brigade General Latif Miguel Mahfoud. President Fernandez appointed Colonel Manuel Geraldo Rodriguez, as chief of the Tourism Police (Politur), replacing Colonel Pablo Lugo Adames. Former Police chief Major General Manuel de Jesus Perez Sanchez, who was police advisor to the President, was appointed coordinator of the Executive Secretariat for the Commission for the Reform and Modernization of the Police. Brigade General Ramon Francisco Rodriguez Sanchez was appointed Police information director. General Rafael Calderon Efres was named regional director for the Northeast, based in San Francisco de Macoris, replacing Brigade General Osiris Alcantara Rodriguez. Brigade General Rinel Rafael Lozada was appointed regional director in the East, based in La Romana, replacing Brigade General Luis de la Cruz Consuegra. Brigade General Hilario Gonzalez Gonzalez was appointed director of the south central region. Brigade General Jose Almonte Sanchez was appointed inspector general.
Vice Admiral Julio Cesar Ventura Bayonet, Chief of the Navy, replacing Vice Admiral Ivan Pena Castillo. In the military, Brigade General Felipe Henriquez Molina was named to command the Third Brigade, Brigade General Joaquin Felix Perez to the Fourth Brigade, and General Jose Lopez Lajara to the Sixth.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#4)