Independent Unit for Investigation of Police Use of Force

Republica Dominicana
Presidential Decree No. 052-DR
Issued by: Future DR President Candidate

Subject: Independent Unit for Investigation of Police Use of Force

Effective Immediately

To eliminate extrajudicial killings, establish real accountability, and restore public trust in law enforcement, this decree creates an independent investigative body with authority to investigate all police use of force resulting in death or serious injury.

Article 1 – Creation of the Independent Unit

  1. The Independent Unit for Investigation of Police Use of Force (UIUPF) is established as an autonomous government body.
  2. UIUPF operates with budget independence separate from the Ministry of Interior and Police.
  3. UIUPF reports directly to the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) and answers to no police institution.
  4. No police official has authority to interfere with UIUPF investigations.

Article 2 – Jurisdiction and Scope

UIUPF shall investigate all incidents where police use of force results in:

  • Death of a civilian
  • Serious injury requiring hospitalization
  • Allegations of torture or abuse
  • Shootings in non-combat contexts
  • Any force incident resulting in permanent disability

All investigations are mandatory and non-discretionary.

Article 3 – Leadership and Personnel

  1. UIUPF Director is appointed by the Public Ministry for a six-year term and cannot be removed by police leadership.
  2. Investigation team of fifty trained investigators selected from civil society, international sources, and judicial professionals.
  3. Independent forensic physicians, ballistics technicians, and video analysts staffing the unit.
  4. Zero tolerance policy: no personnel with National Police service in the last ten years may work for UIUPF.

Article 4 – Investigative Authority

UIUPF has power to:

  • Access all crime scenes without delay or police obstruction
  • Immediately confiscate weapons, uniforms, and all equipment
  • Interview all witnesses independently without police presence
  • Obtain and review body camera footage, CCTV, and phone records
  • Request complete medical records of the deceased and the officer
  • Issue arrest warrants for officers without judicial approval when flight risk exists
  • Compel testimony from all parties under penalty of perjury

Article 5 – Timeline for Investigation and Prosecution

  1. Preliminary investigation must be completed within ninety (90) days.
  2. If probable cause exists, UIUPF forwards case to Public Ministry with prosecution recommendation.
  3. Case must enter court within six (6) months maximum from investigation conclusion.
  4. No extensions or delays are permitted except for documented judicial cause approved by a judge.
  5. All timelines are public record and tracked transparently.

Article 6 – Legal Standard for Justified Lethal Force

Lethal force by police is justified only when ALL of the following conditions are proven:

  • Officer was in immediate danger of death or serious injury
  • All lesser uses of force were attempted and documented
  • Incident was witnessed by independent parties or recorded on video
  • Weapon of the deceased was recovered at scene and examined ballistically

Any shooting not meeting all four criteria is classified as unjustified at investigation level.

Article 7 – Mandatory Body Camera Program

  1. All officers on patrol wear activated body cameras during every public interaction.
  2. No exceptions. No discretion. No opt-outs.
  3. Cameras are property of UIUPF, not the police department.
  4. Tampering with, disabling, or destroying camera footage results in immediate termination and criminal charges.
  5. Camera footage is automatically uploaded to secure UIUPF servers daily.

Article 8 – Administrative Consequences for Officers

  1. Officers under UIUPF investigation are suspended with pay during the investigation period.
  2. If investigation closes without prosecution, officer is reinstated fully with back pay.
  3. If Public Ministry prosecutes the officer, the officer is immediately terminated without pension eligibility.
  4. Terminated officers are added to a national registry preventing rehire in law enforcement.

Article 9 – Public Transparency and Accountability

  1. All UIUPF investigations are public record.
  2. Complete investigation reports are published within thirty (30) days of case conclusion.
  3. Names of minors may be redacted. All other information is disclosed.
  4. Media and civil society have free access to investigation files and video evidence.
  5. Quarterly public reports show all investigations, outcomes, and prosecution results.

Article 10 – Budget and Resources

  1. UIUPF receives annual budget of RD$800 million drawn directly from national treasury.
  2. Budget cannot be reduced or frozen without public presidential decree signed by sitting president.
  3. Funding is guaranteed for minimum five-year operational period.
  4. Budget covers salaries, equipment, training, facilities, and forensic resources.

Article 11 – Civilian Oversight Board

  1. A board of five civilians (human rights lawyer, physician, journalist, university professor, religious leader) monitors UIUPF quarterly.
  2. Board reviews investigation quality, timeline compliance, and prosecutorial recommendations.
  3. Board publishes annual public assessment of unit performance.
  4. Board has authority to recommend director removal for cause.

Article 12 – Criminal Penalties

  1. Any officer who:
  • Interferes with UIUPF investigation
  • Destroys or alters evidence
  • Intimidates witnesses
  • Falsifies reports
    Faces criminal prosecution and minimum five-year prison sentence.
  1. Any official who attempts to obstruct UIUPF operations faces corruption charges and removal from office.

The Dominican Republic will no longer tolerate police killing civilians without accountability. Every death will be investigated independently. Every case will reach trial. And every officer will know justice is not controlled by their institution. This is how trust is rebuilt.

Signed,
Future DR President Candidate
President of the Dominican Republic
Date: Day One, Term One