LAB-CO conduced an assessment of the Dominican Republic’s Police Academy, in collaboration with the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The analysis includes the mapping and identification of strengths and areas of opportunity of the infrastructure of the Police Education Institute (IPE) and its different schools; of the recruitment, selection, and promotion systems; and of initial, continuous, and specialized training, among other areas. The analysis involved the application of different tools, including the Kirkpatrick methodology, which assesses the effectiveness of training results in applicable practical skills.

LAB-CO collected information for the assessment through visits to schools and IPE headquarters, interviews and focus groups with key actors of the education system, surveys and observation of training sessions, among other activities. The study will serve as the basis for future actions for the professionalization and modernization of the Dominican Republic Police, and for the potential accreditation of the national police academy.