Daniel Pou points out structural weaknesses in citizen security in the Dominican Republic
Expert Daniel Pou has brought to the table a critical analysis of the country’s security landscape, highlighting that current challenges are not isolated, but the result of systemic failures. According to the specialist, the lack of a culture of solid public policies and institutional deficiencies significantly limit the State’s effectiveness in confronting criminality.
During his speech, Pou stressed that success in any citizen security strategy depends directly on prior planning and clear execution of state actions. “In the Dominican Republic, unfortunately, we do not have a tradition of public policy,” he stated, emphasizing the need to professionalize public management.
Professionalization as a central axis
One of the points highlighted by the professor is the appointment of officials in key ministries. Pou questioned that, on various occasions, people are appointed to head institutions without having the necessary specialization in the area. In his view, this lack of knowledge of fundamental functions negatively impacts the machinery of the national security apparatus.
Security must be understood as the set of conditions that the State must provide to citizens so that they can enjoy and exercise their fundamental rights.
Daniel Pou
Objective security versus subjective security
Pou’s analysis goes beyond technical operability. The specialist proposes an essential distinction between two aspects of security that must work together:
- Objective security: The protection and control mechanisms that the State implements to prevent crime.
- Subjective security: The perception of tranquility that the citizen experiences, allowing them to carry out their daily activities without fear.
For Pou, it is vital that both dimensions are strengthened in a balanced way. It is not enough for security measures to exist on paper; it is imperative that the population manages to perceive and feel that protection in their daily activities on the streets and in public spaces of the country.
