SANTO DOMINGO – In a landmark initiative to transform law enforcement methodologies, Dominican President Luis Abinader inaugurated the First International Symposium on Criminal Investigation, Science and Innovation against Crime. The event, attended by over 400 national and international delegates, signals a paradigm shift toward evidence-based prosecution integrating advanced technology, intelligence gathering, and scientific rigor.
President Abinader emphasized that sustainable public security hinges on closing impunity gaps through technical evidence and systematic investigative reforms. The symposium constitutes a critical component of the modernization agenda for the Central Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DICRIM), transitioning from traditional reactive policing to a proactive model built on data analytics, institutional interoperability, and operational transparency.
Beyond superficial changes in equipment or uniforms, Abinader framed the reform as a profound institutional overhaul grounded in scientific principles and strategic management. A key outcome will be the adoption of a ten-point code of conduct for police investigations, to be formally endorsed by senior law enforcement leadership to guarantee nationwide compliance.
Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful outlined priority challenges including organized crime, ethical artificial intelligence applications, and secure inter-agency data exchange. She highlighted existing successes through joint task forces, which have already contributed to reduced homicide rates and disruption of criminal networks.
National Police Director Andres Modesto Cruz Cruz addressed the evolving nature of crime, noting its increasingly technological and cross-border characteristics. He advocated for a response strategy combining rigorous methodology with unwavering respect for human rights. This symposium forms part of the comprehensive reform of the National Police, aiming to establish an internationally aligned, professional, and scientifically-driven investigative culture focused on impunity reduction.