New Police Chief Appointed in the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo – President Luis Abinader has appointed Major General Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz as the new Director General of the National Police, according to a presidential decree issued today, February 18, 2026.
Decree No. 111-26 details the promotion of Cruz Cruz from General to Major General, formalizing his leadership role within the national police force. He replaces Major General Ramón Antonio Guzmán Peralta, who has been placed in honorable retirement and designated as an advisor to the President on police matters, as stipulated by Dominican law.
Luis Abinader, nombró a Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz como nuevo director general de la Policía Nacional.
Extensive Career
The Presidency stated that Major General Cruz Cruz brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served in key strategic areas of control, supervision, and internal management within the National Police. He most recently served as the Inspector General of the National Police from 2023 to 2026.
Prior to his role as Inspector General, Cruz Cruz held several other high-ranking positions, including Director of Internal Affairs, Southern Regional Director, Director of Liaison between the Ministry of Defense and the National Police, and Director of Internal Control.
Cruz Cruz is a civil engineer, having graduated from the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU). He also holds a Master’s degree in Defense and National Security from the “General Juan Pablo Duarte y Díez” Higher Institute for Defense. His training includes specialized programs in transformational leadership, criminal investigation, crisis management, energy security, dignitary protection, and international cooperation, with training received from organizations in the United States, Israel, and Colombia.
Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Medal for Distinguished Public Service in the First Category, and distinctions from the Armed Forces and the General Directorate of the National Police, recognizing his dedication and institutional commitment.
The presidential decree is based on articles 255 and 256 of the Dominican Republic’s Constitution and Law No. 590-16, Organic of the National Police, which grants the President the authority to appoint the Director General from among active general officers. The decree also repeals article 1 of Decree No. 557-23.
According to reports from November 2024, Cruz Cruz was reportedly considered for the position previously, despite allegations of involvement in corruption scandals within the National Police. These allegations stem from audits conducted at the Hospital General Docente de la Policía Nacional (HOSGEDOPOL) during his tenure as subdirector administrative between November 2015 and March 2018, which reportedly revealed serious irregularities and the misappropriation of funds.
