Saturday 22 February at the National Palace, President Jovenel Moïse, accompanied in particular by the Prime Minister ai Jean-Michel Lapin and Joseph Joute, Minister ai of the Economy and Finance, by Chesnel Pierre, Director General of the National Office of Assurance-Vieillesse (ONA) and Yvon Buissereth Director General of the Public Enterprise for the Promotion of Social Housing (EPPLS) held an important meeting with the senior executives of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), around the difficulties which are confronted by the police officers, who despite the problems have the responsibility to protect and serve the population.

Recalling that he has never bargained for his assistance to the police officers since the first day of his mandate (250, 200 motorbikes, health care at Bernard Mevs hospital for 2,553 police officers...). The Head of State stressed the need to "continue the discussions without ceasing in order to address the needs and demands of the police in a serious and urgent manner."

Moïse recalled that as the guarantor of the proper functioning of State institutions, he could not remain insensitive to the legitimate claims of law enforcement officials and took the opportunity to commit to continue working to strengthen the PNH.

On the other hand, the President called on law enforcement officials to redouble their efforts to combat the phenomenon of insecurity which is causing mourning for the population by exercising their profession with efficiency and honor in the name of the Motherland.

During this important meeting, the Head of State undertook to take steps to improve the working conditions of police officers, namely :

• Establishment of an emergency fund for police officers killed in the line of duty;

• Constitution of a dialogue committee within the PNH. This Committee must take into account the demands of the police in accordance with the hierarchy and the Law;

• Modification of the PNH Law to grant a new status to the police officers belonging to specialized units;

• Police officers over the age of 50 who are experiencing fatigue at work will be able to benefit from the experience acquired with a view to retraining;

• Implementation, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, of a baccalaureate in security in order to promote the professions of the Fatherland;

• A special fund will be available for insurance cover (ONA) in the next budget;

• The debit card will increase from 5,000 to 10,000 gourdes from March 1, 2020;

• The Government will launch a social housing program of 1,200 modern low-cost housing accessible to all police officers, the construction of which will start from March 2020, 2 billion available for this project (EPPLS).

Some of these demands will be answered immediately, others in 3 months, others in 6 months, said Prime Minister Lapin.

To be followed...

See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-30096-icihaiti-security-pnh-dgtoured-the-police-stations-and-sub-police-stations.html

HL/ HaitiLibre