ARTICLE - POLICE SUMMIT AT PALACE

EXCEPTIONAL SUMMIT OF THE PNH AT THE NATIONAL PALACE
(Haiti Libre) -

At the invitation of President Michel Martelly, the main actors involved in the development of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), have agreed on a Development Plan of the PNH for the period 2012-2016, in the perspective of the implementation of a joint strategy of withdrawal of forces of the MINUSTAH, during an exceptional summit held at the National Palace this Friday, June 29 2012.

Ppresent at the summit were President Martelly, the Prime Minister, the Minister of the Interior, the two Presidents of the Justice and Security Commissions in Parliament, the Director General of the PNH, Ambassadors and representatives of major donor countries of the PNH, namely: Germany, Brazil, Canada, France, Chile, the United States of America, Spain, Japan, Colombia and Norway, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Haiti, the Commissioner of the UN Police, and representatives of civil society.

"It is imperative that we strengthen our PNH [National Police of Haiti] because the departure of the MINUSTAH is linked to our ability to maintain order and peace in the country [...] the police is an essential instrument in the establishment of the rule of law and in creating a secure environment attractive for investments that generate employment," declared President Michel Martelly at the opening of the summit.

Mariano Fernández Amunátegui, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, acknowledged that "the time has come for a joint strategy for a gradual withdrawal [of the MINUSTAH], whose role in security matters must be insured by the National Police of Haiti; [...] a withdrawal based on a general improvement in security."

After more than two hours of intense discussions on the difficulties faced by the police institution and the solutions for its strengthening, participants agreed on a "new dynamic to support the development of the PNH," stated Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe.

On the basis of a presentation made by the Director General of National Police of Haiti, Mario Andrésol, on the 2012-2016 Development Plan of the PNH (prepared jointly with MINUSTAH), the participants have agreed on a gradual increase in the size of the PNH from 10,106 to 15,106 in 2016 (ie 5,000 police officers trained in four years in 6 new promotions) and a yearly gradual increase of 10% in the budget allocated to the National Police.

"By 2016 we need $1.3 billion U.S. dollars to be able to meet the objectives that we have set for ourselves," indicated after the meeting, Lucien Jura, the Spokesman of the Presidency. "The funds must come from the Treasury for 900 million, and from the International Community to just over 400 million", adding that the Summit had also committed on a career plan to "raise the living standards of police officers, with an accompanying salary and benefits [...] to attract a different clientele and have executives better trained, and better prepared, to confront the challenges ahead for the nation."

For his part, Jean-Renel Sanon, the Minister of Justice stated "[...] We were very satisfied with the meeting [...] very pleased with the presentation that the Director General of the National Police of Haiti has done, the various interventions of senators, parliamentarians and of the Civil Society, that we have very much appreciated. [...] We decided to set up a Joint Monitoring Committee, of support to the National Police. Why? Because there is a different new body in the police. We must establish, for example: the Directorate of Border Police, the direction of the rural police and a project for a new rapid reaction force [...] like the 'Swat-Team'."

We discussed these different bodies. The Minister of Justice intervened, the President spoke, all Ambassadors have intervened, and globally we are very satisfied. Now we will set up budgets for all these police forces, and we will work in this Commission with the Supreme Council of the National Police (CSPN), the Presidency, and the 7 Embassies who participate in the Joint Commission [which will start meeting starting next week].