Puerto Rico Police gains autonomy with new law

By The Star Staff

Governor Jenniffer González Colón signed the administrative bill creating the Puerto Rico Police Law, which strengthens the Police force by allowing better use of fiscal and human resources to protect citizens and combat crime.

At the Police Academy, the governor signed the measure accompanied by the newly appointed Police Superintendent Joseph González, Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez, Representative for District 9 (Toa Alta and Bayamón) and Félix Pacheco Burgos who chairs the Public Safety Committee in the lower chamber; Senator at Large, Senate Majority Leader, and Chair of the Senate Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee Gregorio B. Matías Rosario; and members from various divisions of the Puerto Rico Police.

The governor emphasized that this law aims to strengthen operational efficiency, improve internal decision-making, and foster a public safety culture focused solely on the interests of officers and citizens. “Today we take a firm step toward institutional transformation that recognizes the importance of our Police having its own leadership, with the necessary resources and autonomy to respond more swiftly to the challenges we face,” González Colón said.

Superintendent Joseph González reaffirmed his commitment to an orderly transition that preserves service excellence and guarantees administrative stability for the thousands of officers who are part of the force.

“The signing of this law represents a historic and necessary step for the Puerto Rico Police. It returns the administrative and operational autonomy we need to work more efficiently and strengthen our mission of protecting the people of Puerto Rico. This change will allow us to better prioritize the needs of our police officers, improve working conditions, and the resources available to fulfill our duty. It is a recognition of the valor, sacrifice, and commitment of every member of our force. On behalf of over 11,000 officers, 697 cadets, and 837 civilian employees working in the Puerto Rico Police, I thank Governor Jenniffer González for her vision to forge this public policy and make it a priority law,” said Joseph González, who is now the Police Superintendent.