Haitian Coast Guard - Haiti Observer Blog

Opportunity knocks for some young Haitian men and women. United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut, is now looking for candidates for the Class of 2020 International Cadet program. However, the requirements are stringent. You must be between the ages of 17 and 23, single (not married), have no children, be an High school graduate, proficient in English and be physically fit. The Coast Guard Academy offers a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. This program will provide you with military and leadership training. After graduation, you are expected to return to Haiti and serve in the Garde Cote unit of the Haitian National Police.

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The Haitian Coast Guard which is the Marine Unit of the National Police Unit of Haiti is one of the best things the country has ever had in a very long time. It is the only reason why there are eventful and success in what the country is trying to achieve as they play a very big role in their work. Among the many things the police unit has been able to achieve is a good and functional coast guard service unit that is very much functional and efficient at what it does.

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The Haitian Coast Guard (HCG), a division of the Haitian National Police, operates as a police department at sea, while performing coast guard operations. Two decades after the Haitian Navy became obsolete; the HCG was organized with two small defense boats and an American yacht. Over the years, the U.S. leased the HCG several sea vessels. When any of the vessels were destroyed in conflict, the U.S. sent replacements.

During Duvalier's reign in 1970, newer vessels, leased by the U.S. to Haitian Coast Guard, experienced revolts aboard ship, and bombed the Presidential Palace in the capital of Port-au-Prince. Forced to retreat to Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. reclaimed the vessels, but then returned them to Haiti, much to the elation of Duvalier. He designated the HCG as the Haitian Navy and tried to develop it into a more formidable operation, but failed. The U.S. continued leasing vessels to the HCG as well as reclaiming boats with expired leases.

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One of the biggest problems facing recruitment of police officers in Haiti National Police's history is interference from former military officers (MO) of the Haitian Army. These interlopers have swayed the politics of the HNP, especially in the area of human rights, a necessary part of modern law enforcement. Their influence has led to abuses against politicians, political dissenters, and law-abiding citizens.

The MOs have and continue to be appointed to administrative positions within the Haiti National Police, gravely affecting the recruitment policies of hiring new officer trainees. What has taken place is training officers, some of them MOs, have used orientation and training methods unethical and insufficient in the enforcement areas of human rights violations, drug trafficking, embezzlement, and violent crimes, have corrupted the recruitment, orientation and training, and functioning of the HNP.

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