The police in the Dominican Republic are friendly and polite. Many visitors have described their impressions in a charming way: Dominican police officers are simply human. They smile at you, try to help, and don’t bother you without reason.
There are several types of police in the country. The Traffic Police regulate road traffic. The National Police (Policía Nacional) are responsible for public safety throughout the country. And to protect and assist those who come to the Dominican Republic as guests, there is the caring Tourist Police — POLITUR. This is a special division that works in resort areas, on beaches, and around major attractions. If you ever run into a problem during your visit, it is usually best to speak with a POLITUR officer. They are used to working with foreigners and generally know how to resolve situations more quickly.
TIP: If you would like to photograph police officers or military personnel, remember to ask for permission first. It is a simple gesture of courtesy and the proper thing to do.
There is another interesting fact. Police officers (and members of the armed forces) in the Dominican Republic do not take part in the country’s political elections. Apparently, this helps prevent political pressure in a system where junior officers are expected to obey those of higher rank. The police, the military, and politics are deliberately kept separate. This principle is written into the country’s Constitution. The Dominican Republic has experienced too many military coups and dictatorships throughout its history, so a safeguard was created. Members of the security forces are required to remain politically neutral. They cannot be elected to public office and do not have the right to vote. It seems to be a rather unique arrangement in today’s world.
The mother of one of our Dominican friends reached the rank of Major in the Dominican police — quite an achievement, especially considering that she raised nine children! Looking at this sweet, smiling, well-groomed elderly lady, you would never guess that she had spent many years serving in the police, raised such a large family, and had been married six times.
One day, during a conversation, she shared her own formula for family happiness: “If you love a man, and he has money, you should marry him.” She is Catholic.
On Calle Conde, the famous pedestrian street in downtown Santo Domingo, even motorcycles are not allowed. More than ten years ago, it was common to see POLITUR officers patrolling the street while standing on remarkable two-wheeled “chariots” with tall upright handlebars.
