Police - Military

Haiti's Stability depends on Stronger National Police Force. Canada has reneged on its commitment, made six years ago, to construct a new national police academy near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The $18 million police academy would have included classrooms and equipment to instruct 300 mid-level police; among them commissioners and inspectors (the Haitian National Police operates without either higher-ranking officers).

The UN Security Council commented the Haitian National Police needs bolstering and it has become a "most critical task". The government of Haiti (GOH) must assume complete responsibility for its security needs pivotal to the country's general stability and economic growth. The UN peacekeeping mission, in Haiti for over 10 years, has renewed its stay until 2016.

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Haiti has never been a particularly safe haven for journalists. All too readily, the names of slain newsmen come to mind. This bad reputation that shouts an intolerance for freedom of the press continues with news from Reporter's Without Borders that as little as five journalists have been attacked either physically or verbally in Haiti within the last month, many in the town of Petit-Goave.

While not exactly parallel to what has taken place in the past, given how far this bullying of reporters can go, the latest attacks on Radio Préférence FM Director Guyto Mathieu and others, seems to be the beginning of another cycle. On September 4, 2014, Mathieu was allegedly threatened at a demonstration by members of a group in opposition to the local government. He is said to be a Jacques Stevenson Thimoleon defender and, as such, put himself into the crosshairs of the opposition.

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Investigative Judge Belizaire, frustrated in his attempts to indict ex-President Aristide on corruption charges from his time in office, has called Chief of Police Orelus to Belizaire's office, asking why Orelus has not executed an arrest warrant on Aristide. Belizaire does not have a good answer why he has failed to arrest Aristide, which leads to the conclusion Orelus's department is being defiant. But an officer of the Haitian National Police (HNP) reports Orelus has sworn to Belizaire he will ensure the arrest warrant is served on Aristide. The officer has said the arrest would occur soon since Orelus cannot go against the orders of Belizaire to arrest Aristide. To save face the informant said specifics were being hashed out to get the warrant executed.

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As a step toward securing Haiti's borders and managing large scale domestic clashes--including attacks on the National Place--the Haiti National Police (PNH) now has access to three new armories.

The three arsenals have been made possible by the tripartite partnership of United Mines Action Service (UNMAS); United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MUNUSTAH); and the PNH, with the support of the government of Haiti (GOH). The launching ceremony took place at the Haitian Police Academy.

Funded to the tune of $900,000 and administered by UNMAS, the armories are constructed of reinforced concrete, accomplished by the erection of iron columns (rebar) that become the support the cement is built around. It offers an impenetrable barrier that makes impossible theft and weapons loss. The project took four months to complete.

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The National Police (PNH) of Haiti has achieved better security in the country and defense against banditry, but the Office of Citizen Protection (OPC) for the protection of Human rights has expressed disapproval regarding the TV show "Alo Lapolis", which is broadcasted by the PNH. The TV show is being aired since a decade and it broadcasts images of people arrested and occasionally forces them to confess.

The Ombudsman, Mrs. Florence Élle said in a statement issued on 25 April 2014 that the program surely has a positive impact as it promotes the action of the police. However, it violates the Principle of Presumption of Innocence. The principle, enshrined in Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 14-2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, guarantees the right to any person suspected of guilt, not to be considered guilty unless tried and legally sentenced by an impartial court. For instance, a person arrested by the PNH for mere accusation regarding damage to someone's property was forced to make confess his guilt on the television show.

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The National Police (PNH) of Haiti has achieved better security in the country and defense against banditry, but the Office of Citizen Protection (OPC) for the protection of Human rights has expressed disapproval regarding the TV show "Alo Lapolis", which is broadcasted by the PNH. The TV show is being aired since a decade and it broadcasts images of people arrested and occasionally forces them to confess.

The Ombudsman, Mrs. Florence Élle said in a statement issued on 25 April 2014 that the program surely has a positive impact as it promotes the action of the police. However, it violates the Principle of Presumption of Innocence. The principle, enshrined in Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 14-2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, guarantees the right to any person suspected of guilt, not to be considered guilty unless tried and legally sentenced by an impartial court. For instance, a person arrested by the PNH for mere accusation regarding damage to someone's property was forced to make confess his guilt on the television show.

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President Michel Martelly is probably nostalgic and homesick for referring to Haiti national Police as the armed wing of the government during a speech at the graduation ceremony of the 24th promotion of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) last Friday. As usual, the opposition was quick to take issue with that and denounce the comment. Many people believe that this is another example where Michel Martelly has been trying to politicize the Police force in Haiti.

The Haitian President also took the opportunity to praised the Police for their contribution in the overall improvement in security in the country, compared to the situation in previous years.
Is this for real? Do you think Haiti National Police is politicized? Has Martelly been able to use the force to oppress others on political basis?

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Here is the video for the official ceremony of the graduation ceremony for the 24th promotion of the National Police of Haiti (PNH). The ceremony took place at the Police Academy in Frères

A total of 1,058 new police officers were part of the 24th Promotion. The new graduates include 114 women

Present at the ceremony was: President Michel Martelly, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Me Jean Renel Sanon, the President of the Senate, Simon Dieuseul Desras, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Me Jean Tholbert Alexis, the Director General of the National Police of Haiti, Godson Orélus and the Divisional Commissioner Francène Moreau.

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As part of a master plan to build up the tourism industry in Haiti, the government of Haiti (GOH) has established the Tourist Police, POLITOUR. POLITOUR is a special unit of the Haitian National Police (HNP), created to insure the safety and security of visiting tourists.

Commissioner and POLITOUR Director, Carl Boucher, made a presentation on POLITOUR. On hand for the presentation were North Regional Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Etienne; Cap-Haitien Municipal Association; North Vice-Delegate; Ministry Director of Planning and External Cooperation; and a rep of the North HNP. Boucher discussed formation of the special unit, and how it will be developed into an effective policing body. Its first assignment is the North Department. After testing, POLITOUR will be rolled out in well-populated tourist areas across the island.

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Vanel Lacroix, an ex-police chief, engaged in a gun battle with Léogâne police officers on September 12, 2013. Lacroix was with escaped convict, Jerry Leconte, and Isma, an ex-police officer. Isma has had a bench warrant for his arrest on kidnapping and drug trafficking. Jerry Leconte took advantage of 2010's earthquake to make his escape from prison.

Lacroix is being jailed on suspicion of his connection in Serge Demosthene's death. Lacroix was Chief of Police in Petion-Ville, and it was on his watch Demosthenes underwent torture at the hands of officers the night he died.

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