While most supervisory posts have been filled, management systems that would hold them accountable for the performance of their police units remain very weak. Commanders, chosen on the basis of academic records and exams, have often turned out to have poor leadership and administrative skills in the field. Communication within the force remains poor, particularly in rural areas. Regular reports and information flows on institutional issues are extremely limited. While the police are far better equipped than they were 18 months ago, the administrative ability of the HNP to track, maintain and resupply equipment is terrible.
Maintenance remains appalling, with equipment, including guns, lying around in unsecured piles.
Police arrogance toward the population continues, and the community policing programs which might address that problem have not been a priority of the HNP leadership. The HNP disbanded a community policing initiative in Cap Ha tien. Communication between the police and the judiciary on procedures for arrest and detention of suspects is poor. The HNP director general and inspector general are attempting to deal with these problems by dismissing or sanctioning officers they suspect of ties with criminal gangs and by consolidating communications and reporting procedures through the chain of command. The police force is clearly more experienced and confident and its capabilities have improved over the last year.