Santo Domingo has a new chief of Police, Major General Manuel Castro Castillo it appears he is highly regarded for his knowledge and professionalism. Since the change of government, there had been speculation that Castro Castillo would be appointed. At the time of his nomination, he was Police Regional Director for the East and was based in La Romana from where reports are that crime is on the decline. Previously, he was director of Internal Affairs of the Police (2008), and was a key officer in Police intelligence departments (2004).

Castro Castillo was born 16 October 1959 in Santo Domingo and began his career in the Police in 1981. He is a 1984 graduate from the Police Academy in Hatillo, San Cristobal. He is a specialist in criminal investigations, police intelligence and international drug trafficking intelligence. He is a founding member of the Center for Information and Joint Coordination (CICC) in 1985, and the National Drug Control Agency. He is also founder of the Program for Community Guidance (POC) for community actions and prevention of the use and abuse of drugs.

He has held also posts in Puerto Plata, Nagua, Santo Domingo and Santiago.

On the Police website in his biographical page among a long series of recognitions, it was mentioned that he received a recognition from the Dominican Human Rights Commission for his work in favor of human rights.

Meanwhile – President Danilo Medina in addition to declaring a new chief of the National Police, he also made a new director of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) via (Decree 181-13).

Major General Manuel Castro Castillo will replace Major General Jose Armando Polanco Gomez.

Air Force Colonel Julio Cesar Souffront Velazquez is promoted to the rank of brigadier general and appointed president of the DNCD. He replaces Major General Rolando Rosado Mateo. Souffront will hold the rank of Major General while he is in this new post. He was the financial director of the DNCD at the time of his appointment.

His predecessor, Major General Jose Amado Polanco Gomez was named the Police Advisor to the Executive Power, replacing Rafael Guillermo Guzman Fermin. Rosado Mateo is confirmed in the rank of a major general but is not given a new role in government.

General Alejandro Dipre Sierra is appointed to the post of Deputy Chief of Police, replacing General Victor Antonio Campusano Jimenez.