Haiti - FLASH : The RNDDH accuses police officers of using armored vehicles as a secure taxi service
The National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH), says that police officers operating in the commune of Croix-des-Bouquets, use armored vehicles of the National Police of Haiti as a secure transport service, whose rates vary from 20 to 500 US dollars depending on the status of the passenger or the highest bidder.
Also according to the RNDDH, in addition to an armored taxi service, police would offer a paid protection service citing as an example "[...] A truck that transports vegetables pays between 2,500 and 5,000 gourdes; the sum varies between 700 and 1,000 US dollars if it is a question of protecting containers coming from the Dominican Republic and an amount of up to 10,000 Gourdes is required to cross vans coming from Malpasse during market days [...]"
Wednesday, December 28, Frantz Elbé, the Acting Director General of the National Police of Haiti reacted at a press conference describing his allegations as "rumors" suggesting that police officers put equipment and materials of the institution at the service of some individuals to the detriment of the motto of the PNH consisting in protecting and serving the population
He indicated that the High Command had been affected by this file and urged the police to show professionalism and strict respect for the rules of ethics and professional conduct in the exercise of their functions, concluding "The General Inspectorate of the Police Nationale d'Haiti, (the Police of the police), has already opened an investigation into this case in order to determine the degree of real involvement of the police officers in relation to these allegations."
