The presence of the School Police has become essential in educational centers in the Dominican Republic. With 3,050 agents nationwidethese officers not only have a duty to ensure the safety of students and teachers, but also to prevent conflicts and foster a safer learning environment.
However, although many young people wish to join this unit, its expansion is restricted by budget issues. According to the Budget Execution 2024 of the Ministry of Education, the budget for the School Police is from 654.6 millions of pesos.
This amount includes the supervision of educational centres, implementation of gender awareness programmes, reduction of school violence through sports and socio-cultural activities, and the carrying out of research to protect the system, including a forum on school safety.
In addition, the budget includes the acquisition of uniforms, materials, office furniture, technological equipment, as well as cleaning products and other administrative services for the maintenance of the facilities.
The agents are assigned to 1,800 centers selected based on assessments that identify the most vulnerable. There are currently 7,839 public sector schools, so There are 6,039 that do not have this service.
Diego Pesqueiraspokesman for the institution, reported that in the coming months new agents will be incorporated, who are currently being trained in the institution’s academies. He explained that the National Police It plans to continue expanding its staff to cover a greater number of educational centers.
The agency said the intervention of these agents has been key to reducing fights and violent incidents in schools.
School police officers interviewed by Free Newspaper They say that situations of violence often occur in schools. However, they usually notice these actions, thus preventing them from escalating.
“The student gives himself away. When you see that there is something, one, like school policeintervenes before. I cannot deny that there are conflicts; yes, there are, but one, as school policetry to avoid them in order to handle them properly,” said the sergeant. Yeidi Perez Rodriguez.
Recently, the Ministry of Interior and Police announced that they would investigate the presence of gangs in various schools in the Los Guaricanos and Sabana Perdida sectors, in Santo Domingo Norte. The decision arose during a meeting of the Security, Citizenship and Gender Roundtable, because community representatives made the complaint.
The community members stated that there are gang members, including the well-known “Los Trinitarios” gang, who allegedly use children to assault and rob, and minors for sexual relations.
Abuse and other situations are detected
Perez Rodriguez She explained that, on many occasions, she has had to take on the role of psychologist for students who are facing problems at home, observing that they are depressed or exhibit inappropriate behavior.
She also explained that some children have been abused by their parents, which leads to the filing of reports and the monitoring of each case.
“As school police officers, we have reported physical attacks on children, teachers and administrative staff, which motivates us to continue and love our work. There are children who suffer abuse at home and, even if they don’t say it, they feel protected by us,” she said.
In the case of the sergeant major Rosa Mieses, She works at a school for deaf and mute children, where she receives specialized training to care for children with this condition. She also stressed that she has prepared herself to be able to communicate effectively with them.
Vapes and knives in backpacks
One of the challenges facing police officers in the country’s educational centers is the discovery of electronic cigarettes, commonly known as vapes.
It is also common to find knives in students’ backpacks, which is why some schools have implemented bag checks before entering the campus.
“We carry out searches of students’ backpacks. If they have sharp scissors, they should not carry them. We also check to make sure they are not carrying firearms, vapes or jucas,” said Pérez RodrÃguez.
Benefits of being part of the group
The agents reported that in the School Police There are both uniformed personnel and trained civilians who perform auxiliary functions.
In addition to receiving the salary and benefits of the institution, they also have an educational incentive and the benefits offered by the Ministry of Education.
The Sergeant Jose Ariel Gomez Alcantara He said that officers in this area often receive training in conflict management to deal with children and adolescents in educational centers. He said that this training has not only been useful in his work, but also in his family environment.
