On Monday, April 27, a mass protest organized by the Haitian National Police Union (SPNH-17) brought major disruption to the Delmas district of Haiti, led by off-duty Haitian National Police (PNH) officers demanding the release of four detained colleagues.
The demonstration began in the early afternoon, with protesters blocking key transport routes across the area. In Delmas 33, officers parked vehicles across major roads to form barricades, while in Delmas 31, piles of burning tires were used to shut down multiple major arteries. Motorists were forced to divert from their routes, and the widespread unrest prompted most local businesses to shut their doors for the day amid safety fears.
The core demand of the protesting officers is the immediate release of Serge Édouard Muscardin, Oberde Joseph, Ricardo Anglade and Nexbertso Déjean, who were taken into custody on April 14 by the Departmental Directorate of West-1. Protesters have denounced the arrests as “illegal and arbitrary”, and are calling for full public clarification of the charges brought against the four officers.
In an official statement confirming the detentions, PNH leadership said the four officers have been placed in solitary confinement pending an investigation by the General Inspectorate. The investigation centers on allegations that the officers committed multiple violations of Haitian law and internal PNH regulations.
Police authorities emphasized that the detention process follows all formal internal institutional procedures, designed to uphold transparency, enforce discipline, and ensure the PNH operates effectively. Senior PNH command framed the measures as a necessary step to rebuild public trust in the national police force and improve the institution’s public image.
The statement also reiterated that the PNH is a strictly hierarchical and disciplined organization, bound by binding rules and principles that apply to every member without exception. All officers are required to adhere to these standards, including an explicit ban on using institutional equipment and resources to commit criminal acts in public that disrupt public order.
As the protest unfolded, the PNH General Directorate issued an appeal for calm among the general public, and called on all officers not participating in the unrest to remain at their assigned posts to continue providing normal security services to communities.
The PNH further clarified that it only formally recognizes uniformed, properly registered and identified officers as acting on behalf of the institution. Any person wearing a balaclava, carrying a weapon, and creating public disorder will be treated as a violator and subject to full legal penalties, the statement added.
Protesters have issued an ultimatum to PNH leadership, threatening to extend the shutdown across the entire Haitian capital on Tuesday, April 28 if their demand for the release of the four detained officers is not met.