Puerto Rico’s new Police Law celebrated
By The Star Staff
House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez, along with Public Safety Committee Chairman Félix Pacheco, celebrated the separation of the Puerto Rico Police from the Department of Public Safety (DSP), asserting that the police force will now be able to operate with greater flexibility.
“This was a commitment we presented to the people of Puerto Rico during last year’s campaign, and now it’s a reality. In fact, during the last four-year term (2021-2024), our delegation made efforts to separate the Police from the DSP. Our Governor yesterday fulfilled that promise to the men and women who proudly wear the Puerto Rico Police uniform,” said the Speaker.
“The greatest concern of the men and women of Puerto Rico’s blue blood was that they lacked the decision-making power to address the internal affairs of the Puerto Rico Police. It’s great that our Governor showed the will, commitment, and enthusiasm to make this measure a reality. I want to thank the chairman of the Security Commission, a police officer like yourselves, comrade Félix Pacheco, for his work on this bill,” the legislative leader added.
Méndez’s remarks came yesterday at the Criminal Justice University College theater in Gurabo, during the signing of House Bill 406, which creates the Puerto Rico Police as a separate entity from the DSP.
“With the entry into force of Law 83-2025, which was House Bill 406, we do justice to the more than 11,000 men and women who wear the blue uniform of our Police with great honor. When this measure was presented to the Public Safety Commission in March of this year, we worked on it, together with the Government Commission, expeditiously in a transparent process, holding two public hearings and receiving multiple explanatory memoranda. The work we did today is a reality, providing the Police with the platform it needs to continue serving the people well,” said Pacheco, who also represents District 9 of Toa Alta and Bayamón.
