Against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to strengthen Haiti’s national security infrastructure, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has formally transferred a purpose-built two-story administrative headquarters to the Southern Departmental Directorate (DDS) of the Haitian National Police (PNH) in Les Cayes. This project forms a core component of the national PNH Support Program, with full financial backing from the Government of Canada.
Spanning 230 square meters across two levels, the new facility is designed to meet the diverse operational needs of local police units, with more than 10 dedicated office spaces and two purpose-built access ramps to ensure full accessibility for officers and community members with reduced mobility. The building houses fully renovated workspaces for several critical law enforcement and support divisions, including the Departmental Judicial Police Service (SDPJ), the Juvenile Protection Brigade (BPM), and the specialized unit tasked with combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV), alongside associated support services.
To address persistent infrastructure challenges common across Haiti, the facility includes resilient, off-grid-ready utilities that guarantee uninterrupted operations. A cutting-edge hybrid energy system is installed, featuring eight 620-watt solar panels that deliver a total 6 kilowatts of photovoltaic capacity, paired with two lithium-ion batteries that provide 10 kilowatt-hours of energy storage. For extended periods of low sunlight, an 11-kilowatt backup diesel generator connected to a 1,500-gallon fuel tank ensures continuous power. The building also features an independent water supply system anchored by a 6,400-gallon storage tank, which provides five days of operational water autonomy for all on-site activities. All workspaces are outfitted with appropriate, ergonomic furniture and necessary operational equipment to support daily police work.
The completion of this infrastructure project is expected to deliver wide-ranging benefits for both police personnel and the Haitian communities served by the DDS. For criminal investigations, the improved, secure facility will allow officers to conduct case work in far safer and more efficient conditions than the previous inadequate headquarters. For vulnerable populations, the upgraded BPM workspace will enable the unit to deliver higher-quality support and care for children, whether they are victims of crime or young people interacting with the justice system. Most importantly, the new building provides frontline police officers with a functional, secure, and appropriate working environment that addresses longstanding gaps in local infrastructure.
Beyond the physical infrastructure itself, this investment represents a key step forward in sustained efforts to boost the operational capacity of the Haitian National Police as a whole. By equipping local police teams with the essential, reliable resources they need to carry out their work effectively and continuously, the project supports broader national goals to expand and strengthen the consistent, effective presence of law enforcement across all regions of Haiti. This development aligns with ongoing international commitments to support Haitian institutional stability and public safety through targeted infrastructure and capacity-building investments.