Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Le Floridien) — The Syndicat de la Police Nationale d’Haïti (SPNH-17) has sounded the alarm over serious allegations of corruption and abuse of power within the Haitian National Police (PNH). In a strong statement released this week, the union alerted both the public and the authorities to multiple complaints involving officers accused of extorting money from citizens and offenders instead of applying the law through proper legal procedures.
According to SPNH-17, these practices represent a serious ethical breakdown that undermines public trust and damages the reputation of the institution. Reports indicate that some police officers have allegedly used their authority to demand bribes rather than uphold the law, prioritizing personal gain over their duty to serve and protect the Haitian people.
“We do not tolerate any acts based on corruption, racketeering, or abuse of power,” the union stated, reminding officers that their “sacred mission” is to serve the population with honor, integrity, and respect for the law. The union insists that the police must remain a symbol of justice and security and not be reduced to a means of personal enrichment.
SPNH-17 is calling on the competent authorities to take strict disciplinary measures against all members whose actions violate police ethics. The organization has pledged to defend the image of honest officers who perform their duties with professionalism while protecting the rights of Haitian citizens. It stresses the urgent need to restore discipline, ethics, and transparency within the institution to rebuild public confidence.
This declaration comes at a time when Haiti faces severe security challenges, with escalating gang violence and widespread instability across the country. For many citizens, the police represent the frontline of safety and justice. However, the persistence of corruption threatens to weaken the PNH even further at a critical moment for the nation’s stability.
SPNH-17 concluded its statement by urging both the Haitian government and the international community to support reforms aimed at strengthening ethics and professionalism within the police force. The union reaffirmed its commitment to defending a police institution dedicated to serving the people — not exploiting them.
